The Malaysian Government has set aside RM83 million including grants of RM25 million through Government-Linked Companies and Government-Linked Investment Companies for the Disaster Recovery Network (GDRN) to help flood victims.
According to Finance Minister, Tengku Zafrul the GLICs and GLCs will contribute RM58 million to address the floods, which is an increase of over 100 per cent compared with the RM25 million announced previously.
“In addition, since December 17, GDRN has started to monitor the flood situation nationwide. GDRN has also gone to the ground to distribute assistance to those in need,” he added.
Among those who have stepped up efforts include, the Employees Provident Fund which has provided the EPF Learning Campus as a temporary relief centre; Telekom Malaysia which has activated its Crisis Command Centre is ready to provide communications and emergency services assistance; while both Pharmaniaga and MASKargo have helped in delivering aid to the flood victims.
Additionally, the banking sector has also pledged to support affected victims with loan assistance and a moratorium for their existing repayments.
Recovery processes are currently underway with both Federal and state governments having started repair work for houses and public infrastructure that have been damaged by the floods.
Severely hit Shah Alam specifically Taman Sri Muda will see more activity in recovery, Ministries and agencies have been instructed to clear the area as flood water have receded and cleaning up are required. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage has been directed to pump out the stagnant flood water from the flood areas to nearby rivers.
In total, the government has allocated RM100 million for the post-flood recovery efforts which will be channelled through various agencies and institutions.
