PUTRAJAYA: There must be no political biases when providing aid to flood victims, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       "We have begun disbursing aid through the district offices.

       "I hope there are no political biases among the district offices when the aid is distributed.

       "I found that only certain affiliated people received aid last year," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after chairing the National Flood Management Agency on Tuesday. (Jan 2).

       He said the monetary aid was from Federal allocation, which was handed over to the respective state agencies and district offices.

       "The aim is to provide aid for the affected victims and not based on political biases," he added.

       Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the north-east monsoon had reached its tail end following the fifth wave of wet spell.

       StarPicks

       Financial lifeline for underbanked micro-businesses

       "It looks like the fifth wave is at the end stages.

       "There are currently only 80 flood victims in three temporary flood relief centres in three states," he said.

       Although there had been more rain this monsoon season compared to the previous monsoon season last year, Ahmad Zahid said the number of flood victims was lower.

       The most affected states, he said, were Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

       Since the start of the monsoon in early November last year, he said 62,467 flood victims were temporarily housed at the centres.

       He added that 19,204 homes were affected by the floods.

       He added that this excluded damages to 4,893 hectares of agricultural land, amounting to RM22.8mil in losses affecting 2,269 farmers.