KOTA KINABALU: Federal assistance to Sabah's flood victims will be channelled promptly, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).

       He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had assured him that financial assistance for Sabah would be channelled quickly in response to an appeal by the state.

       Hajiji said Ismail Sabri made it clear that the funds would be sent as soon as possible and the more important thing was to ensure that the flood situation was under control.

       Hajiji had made the request during the post-north-east monsoon flood disaster management task force special meeting held virtually Monday (Jan 3) morning.

       Hajiji had earlier briefed the Prime Minister, who chaired the special meeting, that as of Monday morning, six Sabah districts – Kota Marudu, Pitas, Paitan, Ranau, Sandakan and Telupid – have been affected by floods.

       "We have opened up 23 temporary relief centres in these districts to shelter 2,435 people from 874 families," he said.

       Hajiji said all relevant agencies assigned to help flood victims had carried their responsibilities well.

       So far, he said, Sabah had received RM200,000 in financial aid and a further RM674,000 is needed for the affected families.

       The Federal government had announced that each family affected by floods would be given welfare aid of RM1,000 under Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI).

       At the same time, Hajiji said the state government was also distributing food baskets to the victims.

       "So, it is good that the Federal government will expedite the distribution of financial assistance to Sabah," he said.

       Hajiji also informed the Prime Minister that the state government was waiting for a full infrastructure damage report from the affected districts.

       The Chief Minister would be visiting Kota Marudu, Pitas and Paitan to assess the situation on the ground and meet flood victims on Wednesday (Jan 5).