PORT DICKSON: More than RM60mil has been allocated for repair of rural roads and implementation of social amenities programmes in states affected by the recent floods, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (pic).

       He said the amount included RM37.2mil for repair of village roads, while RM35mil was for the social amenities programmes, nationwide.

       "As of last Jan 9, a total of 356 applications for rural roads were received which included for construction, upgrading and repair of facilities and infrastructure, and 394 applications for social amenities programmes, including in Orang Asli villages that were hit by the floods," he told reporters.

       He said this after presenting the "Bantuan Pembelian Barangan Keperluan Asas" (BPBKA) assistance of RM2,500 each to 300 flood victims in the Sri Tanjung state constituency at the Majestic Hall here on Friday (Jan 21).

       Meanwhile, Mahdzir said contractors that were appointed to do house repair work and the construction of new houses under the ministry would be required to complete the job in four to six months.

       It was earlier reported that the Rural Development Ministry had allocated RM150mil to repair houses and facilities affected by the floods in rural areas in eight states.

       On the BPBKA assistance, which was handled by the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, Mahdzir said the Federal government had allocated RM15.1mil for the purpose and RM4.63mil in Bantuan Wang Ihsan of RM1,000 each for flood victims. - Bernama