PUTRAJAYA: The allocations for compassionate aid (BWI) have been channelled to flood-affected states and will be distributed to the deserving recipients through three methods of payment, says Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali (pic).

       The methods are cash payment at Disaster Operations Control Centres (PKOB); house-to-house cash payment; and through electronic fund transfers.

       "These methods are being used to make the distribution of the BWI to the recipients quickly and effectively based on the confirmation given by the entrusted community leaders without them having to fill in any application form,” he said in a statement here on Monday (Dec 27).

       Mohd Zuki said the aid was part of the matters decided in the meeting of the Task Force for Post-Flood Management and Preparation for Second Wave of Floods which he chaired at the Perdana Putra here today.

       The meeting was also attended by the Public Service director-general (KPPA) Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) director-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim.

       Mohd Zuki said the BWI of RM1,000 for heads of households and RM10,000 for next of kin of disaster victims were coordinated at the PKOB with the cooperation from the Implementation Planning Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.

       He said the government had allocated RM34 million to be distributed to 34,000 heads of households in flood-hit states as of Monday and added that payment has begun on Monday.

       "The number of recipients was based on the information received from temporary relief centres. Efforts are being done to identify the others who have yet to register so that the aid could be channeled to them as soon as possible,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Mohd Zuki said the meeting also decided to have the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) synchronise government assets and those from the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individuals for the purpose of managing the post-flood cleaning operations.

       He said the effort would be directly assisted by the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA), especially in the preparation of solid waste transit stations in areas affected by floods.

       Mohd Zuki added that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will help ensure a clear path for cleaning machinery to send solid waste to the designated waste transit stations.

       He said the Public Service Department (PSD), on the other hand, will coordinate adopted flood-affected areas to every ministry, department and government agency.

       "The PSD will also coordinate efforts to mobilise civil servants to help in the cleaning and humanitarian mission,” he said.

       He said the meeting also agreed that efforts to repair basic infrastructures, such as damaged roads, flood mitigation, sewerage system and utilities, to be coordinated by the Ministry of Works and KASA, as well as Ministry of Finance, through a simple procurement method, for the benefit of the public.

       Mohd Zuki added that the preparedness mechanism for disaster and post-disaster management will always be reviewed and fine-tuned from time to time according to the Prime Minister’s order. - Bernama