Najib: Government cannot afford to pay compensation

SUNGAI PETANI: The Government cannot afford to pay compensation to tsunami victims and financial aid now being disbursed is merely compassionate aid, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said the financial help, which the Government would hand out in three phases, was not compensation.

“The Government cannot afford to pay compensation as it will entail big amounts,” he said after handing out cash aid to 15 affected victims from Kota Kuala Muda, near here yesterday.

COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE: Najib handing over aid to Halijah Hashim of Kampung Masjid in Kuala Sungai Muda who lost a family member.

The Deputy Prime Minister said under the first phase, evacuees in relief centres would get RM500 each, RM200 for those warded in hospitals and RM1,000 for families of those who perished in the tsunami incident.

He said the second phase was the payment announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday which included RM2,000 to those whose houses were partially damaged and RM5,000 for those whose homes were destroyed in the tragedy.

Najib said the third phase involved the overall payment to the affected victims after the respective departments had made a thorough assessment of the losses incurred by the families.

However, he said, this payment had yet to be decided.

On preliminary estimated losses incurred by the tsunami victims in the country, he said he had yet to get the exact figures but Kedah had estimated its losses at RM29mil so far.

On public donations, he said the Government was touched by the overwhelming response from the public and commended the respective newspapers for taking the lead.

If you have any real-life experience to share on this earthquake, please mail to newsdesk@thestar.com.my

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