Mixed reaction to RM100mil fund

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has launched a RM100mil Penang Bounce Back flood relief programme but there has been mixed reaction to it.

While many welcomed the move, there were those who felt it was too little and too late.

Among the measures announced was a RM500 one-off payment to each household and business operator affected by what was probably the worst floods in the history of Penang.

The payment is expected to cost the state government RM50mil.

Factory assistant manager R. Thilagavathi, 48, said she appreciated the gesture but added that the amount was not sufficient.

“All the furniture in my mother’s house in Taman Seri Rambai, Bukit Mertajam was destroyed as the water came up to shoulder-level.

What is left are only the four walls.

“Hopefully, the contingency plan for evacuation will be reviewed, too. All of us were caught off-guard this time,” she said.

One Hope Charity and Welfare Bhd founder Chua Sui Hau said the payment would come in handy.

“Any amount will be helpful. I have seen many families who lost almost everything in the floods.

Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu said the fund was merely a short-term strategy to recover from the floods.

“In the long term, we still need to address the issue of hillslopes, drainage and, above all, the structure plan that needs to gazetted.

“An apology by the state assemblymen or the state is needed.

“We can’t continue to blame nature and not do anything within our control to alleviate the flood issue in the long term,” said Teh.

Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong said the bulk of the RM100mil should be spent on infrastructure projects.

“It must be a long-term measure to address major concerns on all aspects of floods. If the money is not effectively spent, it would be a total waste,” he added.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng made the announcement on the relief programme during the state assembly sitting yesterday.

Besides the one-off payment, he said both the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council would give a 10% discount in assessment rates next year.

The discount will cost the local authorities RM40mil.

He said Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd has also agreed to give a 50% discount on water bills for domestic users and 25% to commercial users in view of the huge amount of water used in the clean-up process.

The water conservation surcharge for domestic users will also be exempted.

The discount for one cycle (two months for domestic users and one month for commercial users) will cost RM10mil.

“We hope to give out the one-off payment by end of this year,” he said.

“We are simplifying the application process and no police reports are required.

The House observed a one-minute silence during the proceeding as a mark of respect for the seven lost lives in the floods.