KOTA SAMARAHAN: Downpours are expected to persist in the state until the end of next month, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.

Shahidan, also National Disaster Management Committee deputy chairman, said following weather forecast that heavy rainfall might cause flooding, all relevant government agencies had been instructed to brace for any eventuality. He said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), which manages assets like boats and evacuation centres, was fully prepared to face any eventuality during this period too.

“We have no problem with assets, even though there will surely be additional assets required. Our approach is to move the people before flooding happens,” Shahidan told a press conference after visiting 15 flood victim families at Samarahan Civic Centre yesterday.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would be visiting the state today to visit flood areas and to see flood preparations in the state.

Asked whether the flood victims would receive RM500 ‘wang ehsan’ (compassionate fund), he said that would be announced later. He said if registration of the flood victims was properly done, the money could be distributed within a week.

Meanwhile, Shahidan said the federal cabinet would meet this week to discuss the best method to implement the special insurance policy for flood victims in the country.

He said the cabinet discussion on the implementation of the insurance policy, similar to what was done in Kemaman, Terengganu, was last held in November last year, and they wanted it to be implemented this year.

“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants this concept to be introduced nationwide. We have to figure out how the premium will be paid. It will either be in the form of the government together with the people, the government only, or the people only.”

Shahidan said the introduction of the insurance scheme was to help the flood victims receive money from their insurer before returning home.

“The cabinet will identify the flood prone areas as we want to see the impact of what we do. We have to be careful as it involves the public.”

Shahidan said in Kemaman, residents paid RM50 and their Member of Parliament paid RM22 for the special ‘Kampungku’ insurance policy scheme, which entitled them for compensation of RM1,000.

Compensation would be paid to the flood victims within 96 hours after assessment by the insurance company.

Present during the visit were Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang, Samarahan Resident Abdul Rahman Sebli Sanusi and Kota Samarahan District police chief DSP Lee Chong Chern.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Jonathan Chia

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