Selangor rural development, village traditions, Malay customs, culture and heritage committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah (second from right) handing over the cash aid to David Ling, who lost his wife in the Batang Kali landslide last year. - Photo: YAP CHEE HONG / The Star
THE Selangor state government distributed RM5,000 cash aid each for the families of Batang Kali landslide victims that died in the tragedy on Dec 16, last year.
The predawn landslide had struck a campsite within the grounds of an organic farm, killing 31 people while 61 others survived.
Selangor rural development, village traditions, Malay customs, culture and heritage committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah, who was representing Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari to launch the Jelajah #KitaSelangor Penyayang at Oasis in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor on Sunday (Feb 19), distributed the cash aid to the victims’ next-of-kin at the event.
He said the state allocated RM155,000 to offer some financial relief.
When asked if there were other forms of assistance extended to the victims' families, he said the state would consider if there was a need.
"Some of the victims and their families are not from Selangor," he said.
One of the recipients, David Ling, 43, who lost his wife in the incident said the affected families were distraught with the slow progress in the investigation of the case.
"It has been two months since the incident, but the report is not ready.
"The farm owner has not contacted the victims or their families.
"We have yet to know the party responsible for the tragedy," he said.
Ling said he feared as time went by, the incident would be forgotten and swept under the carpet.
