Anwar said the allocation would be disbursed by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) directly to the victims.
“For flood victims currently in temporary evacuation centres (PPS), we have approved an initial allocation of RM50 million.
“With this allocation, each family will receive RM1,000 and additional aid will be given based on the extent of losses suffered,” he told a press conference after visiting the PPS at SMK (A) Lati in Pasir Mas, according to Berita Harian.
Earlier, Bernama reported that Anwar arrived in Kelantan today to personally check the flood situation affecting the state.
He was met on arrival by Kelantan menteri besar Nassuruddin Daud and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Also present was Nadma director-general Khairul Shahril Idrus.
Anwar expressed his gratitude to all involved in aiding the flood victims, including those from the federal and state governments.
“The cooperation between all parties has facilitated the efforts to assist the flood victims.
“Our top priority is to alleviate the burden of the people affected by the floods,” he said.
The latest report issued by Nadma’s National Disaster Command Centre stated that Kelantan has the highest number of evacuees totalling 21,377 at 68 relief centres in five districts, up from 19,423 at 8pm yesterday.
RM6m for spillways at Sungai Golok project
Separately, Anwar said he had approved an allocation of RM6 million for the construction of spillways following a breach in the embankment of the Sungai Golok integrated river basin development project (PLSB).
“As for the breach in the project’s embankment yesterday morning, we are unsure of the cause, but the proposed step is to construct a temporary embankment.
“At the same time, spillways will be constructed at three locations and this will be done promptly,” he said.
It was reported that elevated water levels and strong currents caused a wall at the PLSB to break, leading to flooding in Kampung Lanchang, Pasir Mas.
Malaysiakini quoted Kelantan irrigation and drainage department acting director Marinamarican Abdullah as saying that the breach created by the raging waters was 20m wide.
Phase 2 of project to be expedited
According to New Straits Times, Anwar had urged the Kelantan government to expedite land acquisition to ensure phase two of the project could start soon.
“I was informed that phase two of the project will take years to complete. To speed up the project, l have urged the state government to expedite the land acquisition process so that the project can start early next year,” he said.
Phase two of the project, which was scheduled to be completed in mid-2021, faced some delay due to land acquisition issues and the implementation of the movement control order during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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