Lim made the appeal at the Penang DAP convention today following Anwar’s visit to Kedah yesterday, where he said the government had allocated RM1,000 through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and another RM1,000 through the implementation coordination unit of the Prime Minister’s Department to each head of households affected by the floods.
The recent flash floods in four districts in Penang had seen 623 people evacuated over the past week.
Bernama reported that the last five temporary relief centres in Penang closed yesterday morning after the victims returned home.
“If the prime minister can approve aid for flood victims in Kedah, I would like to request that he approve the same for all flood-affected families in Penang,” Lim said during his speech at the Penang DAP convention here.
On Friday, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state had no plans to provide cash aid to flood victims but would continue to provide the best care to those affected.
Chow said the state government did not have a policy on cash aid for flood victims as it was difficult to define who would qualify as a flood victim.
Pay close attention to public’s needs, says Lim
Separately, Lim thanked the prime minister for approving the expansion of Penang International Airport and a RM13 billion allocation for the light rail transit (LRT) system in Penang, adding that both projects would help the state boost investment and alleviate congestion.
He also voiced support for the 13% salary increase for civil servants, the highest in the history of the Malaysian civil service, as recently announced by Anwar.
In addressing the Penang DAP delegates, Lim said the party leaders must pay close attention to the public’s needs and work to improve their welfare.
He said voters were seeking better economic stability, standard of living, healthcare services and digital access.
He urged DAP, now part of the government, to implement policies that benefitted the people.
“We will fail if we do not listen to the people’s voices or if we neglect our responsibilities to them.
“Our task is to engage with the government. But if we have the opportunity to engage with the government and our voices are still ignored, that’s another matter.” he said.