Putrajaya to channel RM75 million in immediate flood aid to Kedah

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announced immediate aid of RM75 million for Kedah to repair the damaged infrastructure and public facilities in Yan and Merbok following the Gunung Jerai mudflow last Wednesday.

He said the aid included a RM50 million allocation from the environment and water ministry which would be used to upgrade the river and irrigation system covering a distance of 27km at a cost of RM5 million.

The allocation will also be used to build two new bridges (RM23 million), to construct water treatment plant intakes in Gurun and Tupah (RM2 million), to implement Phase One of the Shabo Dam construction (RM20 million) as well as to repair rural tourism facilities and restore the water supply.

“The government through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will also channel RM500 to each family affected by the incident.

“Immediate aid of RM5,000 will also be given to families who lost their loved ones in the incident,” he told a press conference after visiting the areas affected by the mudflow.

Also present were Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Nadma director-general Aminuddin Hassim.

Ismail said the RM75 million allocation did not include the RM3 million to be channelled through the rural development ministry to help repair the damaged homes of residents in the two districts.

“I hope the aid will help the state to solve all of the problems caused by the Gunung Jerai mudflow,” he said, adding that aid was given based on an initial assessment by the state government. He said additional allocations, if any, would be announced by the menteri besar.