BERA: The delay in the distribution of flood aid, especially the RM500 and RM2,500 help for the purchase of electrical goods, was due to the eligibility verification process, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said that despite some delays, especially those involving non-evacuated victims, he had instructed all parties to speed up the process so that it won’t be as late as it was in previous floods, which had taken up to six months.
“Some delays are due to obtaining verification from Tok Ampat (the village chief) or parties involved as some were affected by the floods but their houses are on the fifth or 10th floor with no damage to electrical goods, or perhaps the house was only flooded up to the ankle.
“If possible, I want to give this assistance to all, but it involves government money which has to go through audits and so on,” he said when visiting flood victims at the Kampung Guai mosque here yesterday.
At the event, Ismail Sabri presented aid in the form of household necessities from the Bera parliamentary office and Rural Development Ministry to 80 representatives of flood victims from Kampung Guai, Kampung Charuk Puting and Kampung Batu Bor, all in the Bera district.
He also said the government is committed to helping flood victims to ease their financial burden, enabling the provision of compassionate cash aid of RM1,000 from the Federal Government to be disbursed swiftly.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera MP, thanked the authorities and residents of Bera district who acted quickly since the beginning of the flood, resulting in the smooth coordination of aid.
“We have (always) been hit by floods, so we were ready. Temporary evacuation centres were identified from the beginning and disaster management had been ready since November.
“Village heads were also trained and those living by the river were ready with boats.
“But I would like to apologise as I could not be here physically during the floods.
“Every year, I definitely came here by boat, but the big flood this time occurred in several states and I had to be at those locations too,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
Ismail Sabri also expressed his appreciation to all parties who worked hard to help victims during and after the floods, especially in cleaning the houses of flood victims as well as public areas.
He said the government appreciated the commitment and concern shown by personnel from various agencies, non-governmental organisations and volunteers during the disaster and during post-flood operations.
“Thank you for your contribution which enabled the flood issue to be handled well here in Bera, where even the channelling of aid went on smoothly,” he said when addressing a ceremony held in appreciation of flood relief personnel at the Bera Padang Luas District Council hall.
Ismail Sabri also presented certificates of appreciation to 20 agencies, departments and chiefs who served during the floods, including those from the Royal Malaysia Police, Bera District and Land Office, Civil Defence Force and the Fire and Rescue Department.