SHAH ALAM, Oct 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said financial assistance for national disaster to repair damaged homes will be doubled from RM5,000 to RM10,000.
According to Anwar, the government through National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) has allocated RM260 million for the assistance.
“A total of 17 amphibious rescue boats will be procured to expedite rescue operations by the Civil Defence Force (APM).
“GLC (Government-Linked Companies) and GLIC (Government-Linked Investment Companies) Disaster Response Network (GDRN) initiative will continue to assist disaster victims through a RM20 million matching grant,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat here today.
To date, he said the government has completed six flood mitigation projects worth RM336 million, while 82 other flood mitigation projects are being implemented according to schedule.
He said new projects will be launched next year, including the Kuching City flood mitigation project, Sungai Golok integrated flood mitigation project Phase 2, and the Sungai Kemaman integrated flood mitigation project.
“Slopes, drains, and drainage systems in local authority areas nationwide will be repaired and upgraded, with an allocation of nearly RM320 million,” Anwar added.
Earlier in his speech, the Prime Minister said that the Federal and Selangor state governments have agreed on five key measures, including assessing the capacity of the Batu Dam and Klang Gates Dam for the next 30 years.
“Tackling flash floods in the Klang Valley cannot wait. As an immediate measure, RM100million will go towards building retention ponds and maintaining rivers to reduce flood risk,” he said.
