KUALA LUMPUR: The Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) of RM1,000 to each qualified head of household as well as RM10,000 to families of victims who passed away due to natural disasters will still go on, says Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (pic).
The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) told the Dewan Rakyat that the government also provided other types of assistance such as the Basic Necessities Assistance (BBKA) worth RM2,500 to each head of household as well as the Home Repair (BPR) assistance with a maximum ceiling limit of RM5,000.
"Aside from that, if the assessment for repair works on the damaged house is above RM5,000, it will be carried out by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the Local Government Development Ministry using existing allocations for each ministry," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Anyi Ngau (GPS-Baram) during Question Time.
Anyi had asked the government to state the form of assistance given to those who are affected by natural disasters such as floods and residential fires.
Ugak Kumbong added that for incidents that took place outside of its normal season, the government would still disburse the BWI assistance to each qualified head of household.
Asked to explain how those affected could apply for the assistance - especially those from the rural areas who have little access to the Internet - he said that such applications can be submitted at the respective district offices.
He added that those affected by a residential fire, approval would depend on the standard operating procedures set by the respective states.
"For those who had been evacuated to the relief centres (PPS), the heads of households can refer to the officers stationed at the PPS. For victims who did not evacuate to the PPS, they can refer their applications to their head of communities,” said Ugak Kumbong.
“The approval is subject to the verification of the District Officer," he added.
