KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — The government has allocated RM7 million to cover immediate expenses for all states and relevant agencies to ensure smooth coordination and disaster response operations during the northeast monsoon.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the funds, channelled through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), also cover Compassionate Aid (BWI) payments.
“This is crucial for those affected by such disasters. BWI payments will be made based on the registration of heads of households through the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) MyInfo Bencana system.
“The payments will be credited directly by Bank Simpanan Nasional, which has been appointed as the paying bank, within one to three days after the temporary relief centres (PPS) are closed,” she said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, on behalf of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Nancy was replying to Padang Terap MP Nurul Amin Hamid's supplementary query on whether the government is prepared to offer financial assistance to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in flood relief efforts nationwide.
She added that Nadma has also been holding regular disaster management meetings before, during, and after the monsoon season, based on weather projections up to March next year.
Responding to Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan's supplementary query on allegations that individuals or NGOs were being prevented from sending aid to relief centres, Nancy said the claims were baseless and emphasised that all contributions are welcome.
However, aid distribution must be coordinated at the secretariat level to prevent duplication, ensure assistance matches victims’ needs, and avoid waste. Those wishing to help should first contact the state or district Disaster Operations Control Centre.
Responding to Nurul's original question on the current flood situation and the government’s level of preparedness, the minister said 9,058 PPS capable of accommodating 2.2 million evacuees have been activated.
To facilitate the efficient delivery of assistance, eight depots, 138 district stores, 68 mini depots, and 561 forward bases have also been activated.
“As of 8am today, 35 districts in seven states have been hit, involving 29,400 victims from 10,193 families who have been placed at 216 PPS. Three districts in Kelantan recorded the highest number of evacuees, namely Tumpat, Kota Bharu, and Bachok,” she said.
Approximately 103,500 personnel from various agencies and nearly 40,000 assets have been mobilised, with round-the-clock monitoring carried out through the National Disaster Command Centre.
The northeast monsoon, which is expected to persist until March next year, has prompted the government to strengthen its technical preparedness, including updating 3,682 flood hotspots nationwide identified by the Irrigation and Drainage Department.
The Minerals and Geoscience Department has also identified 254 critical slopes at risk of landslides, which require close monitoring throughout the monsoon season.
