Its deputy minister, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, said the aid, in the form of fertiliser, pesticide and seeds, would be channelled to the affected farmers after the completion of a thorough survey which was being done by the ministry now.
“It is estimated that over 12,000 hectares of padi land were affected and this would require RM1,500 in aid per hectare for reploughing and replanting of seedlings, besides fertiliser,” he said at the opening of Kospen Square in Kampung Kunci Air 4, Sungai Manik, here, today.
The arena, costing RM200,000, is the sixth built in the Pasir Salak parliamentary constituency.
Tajuddin, who is also Pasir Salak MP, said besides padi farmers, the ministry had also channelled other forms of aid to Penang residents affected by the recent floods.
“So far, we have not heard of complaints about insufficient food supply and such, but what I know is that they now require items like mattresses and pillows,” he said.
Tajuddin said the assistance given to the Penang government showed that the federal government was concerned about the situation caused by the floods and did not make political differences a hindrance to extend assistance.
He said although certain quarters had questioned the assistance, it did not affect the federal government’s commitment to tackling the disaster.
“Let people talk. What is important is that we’ve done all with the intention of lessening the burden of flood victims in Penang,” he added.