This was revealed in the Auditor-General’s Report 2015, in which it was noted that the government had allocated RM246.73 million for the construction of new homes in 2015.

The homes were dubbed Rumah Kekal Baru (RKB), and costing RM55,000 each; not including repair works that were capped at RM10,000 per home.

The report also stated that the allocations and expenses for national disasters were managed under the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund (KWABBN).

The audit, however, reported that only 838 of the 1,395 (60%) homes were built as of March 2016. It cited several issues regarding the failure to complete the building of the homes, including land title problems and contractors abandoning the project.

It also noted that the allocations were used beyond the scope of repairs, including repairs of homes that were not damaged by the floods.

“The total repairs cost the government RM247,443 while repairs to roofs unaffected by floods cost RM47,177,” it read.

Besides construction, the audit also reported 15 RKB applicants who did not qualify received the new homes, while 25 that qualified were not given new homes.

It said that the lack of government officers to verify the status of the flood victims were among the reasons those who qualified were not given new homes.

The audit, hence, urged the government to establish a special and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the post-flood programme.

“The SOP must comprise comprehensive programmes for the RKB project and restoration works which include methods of application, selection, verification and updating information into the flood management information system (ePASCA BANJIR).

“Furthermore, this SOP is essential to ensure every relevant party can equip themselves to further understand their respective functions and responsibilities,” it read.