This means a total of RM700 will be paid out to some 100,000 households and businesses affected by the historic flash floods, which displaced over 6,000 people.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the extra money would be sourced from donations received from the public via the Penang Bounces Back or Penang Bangkit flood action programme.

He said the donations were inching towards RM10 million, adding that if the money was not enough, the state government would top up the amount.

“We will give RM200 from the donations. We have collected RM9.6 million so far and that number will definitely go up further.”

Lim hoped the federal government would also offer the same RM500 relief it gave Kelantan flood victims in 2014 to Penang flood victims.

Lim said this when met by reporters after delivering his winding-up speech at the state assembly today.

During the winding-up, Lim said the total RM700 relief for victims would be the largest amount in the history of any state or federal government in the country.

Last week, he announced RM100 million in emergency flood relief for victims, which included the RM500 aid.

Other measures to help victims include reducing water charges by half, and giving 25% off for business users.

The excess water use charge or Water Conservation Surcharge will also be done away with for two months.

The Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council meanwhile will give a 10% discount on assessment rates. The previously announced free assessment for low-cost, low-medium cost and kampung houses remains.

The Penang government also announced that it would reprint official state documents such as land titles destroyed in the floods, at no cost to the victims.

Meanwhile, the RM400 that had been promised to victims of an earlier flooding incident – the flash floods of Sept 15 – will be disbursed on Nov 18 and 19.

The forms for the RM700 payout to victims of the most recent floods will be handed out on Nov 20.

For more details, visit penangbangkit.com.