Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri has announced another round of financial assistance package for the flood victims during his year-end and New Year’s Eve speech last night (31 December 2021).
He said the aid given will depend on the extent of the losses and damages suffered by a family, with some households can get as much as RM61,000 in financial aid.
Previously, Ismail announced that each family affected by the disaster would receive a RM1,000 aid through the Wang Ihsan Fund.
He added that there is no need for the victims to take out their savings from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and said they should keep their savings and compound it with the annual dividend so as to have a comfortable life after retirement.
Meanwhile, he said the assistance also included a cash voucher of RM500 for the purchase of electrical appliances to each family of flood victims to replace the ones damaged in the floods, and it will be implemented from 7 January.
However, these purchases can only be made at premises or e-commerce platforms recognised by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.
Besides, he said national automotive companies Perodua and Proton had offered free car towing and repair service, in addition to a 50% discount on spare parts, while other companies also offered car towing services and a discount of at least 25% on spare parts and repair fees at registered service centres.
Other initiatives by the government also include an RM1,000 voucher for repair or purchase to replace private vehicles that have suffered total damage.
The federal government will be giving cash assistance of up to RM5,000 to each household to repair minor or less serious damages to their homes. While for serious damage, the government will provide repairs up to RM15,000 in costs.
As for homes that are destroyed or inhabitable, the government will help cover cost up to RM56,000 to build a new one.
Meanwhile, Ismail also acknowledged the efforts and contributions by NGOs and volunteers who provided basic necessities to the victims. With this, the government has agreed to give cash of RM2,500 to each affected family to avoid duplication.
“These cash assistance programmes can exceed RM10,000 per family. This is the government’s effort to reduce the rakyat’s burden without EPF withdrawals.”
“For those whose homes have been destroyed, in total, the financial assistance is far greater and can exceed RM61,000,” Ismail explained.
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