Floods: Johor requests additional RM1.15bil for repairs, mitigation projects

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has asked for an additional allocation of RM1.153bil from the Federal Government for repair works and flood mitigation projects, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).

The Mentri Besar said he had written to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on March 8 requesting the estimated amount needed to fix public facilities and carry out flood mitigation initiatives.

"This includes the allocation requested through the Johor Public Works Department of RM168mil that is needed to repair roads, pavements, drains, road fixtures and slopes.

"A further RM35mil was requested through district offices to repair schools, roads, drains, halls, mosques, bridges and penghulu complexes," he said during the state assembly sitting here on Sunday (March 19).

He noted that some RM44mil was requested through local authorities, RM904mil through the Johor Irrigation and Drainage Department and RM200,000 through the state Agriculture Department.

Onn Hafiz said this in response to Chew Chong Sin (PH-Mengkibol) who asked if there were any additional allocations for agencies and departments involved in the floods and the amount of losses suffered.

Earlier, Onn Hafiz thanked the Federal Government for previous allocations channelled to Johor over the floods, including RM10mil announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and RM50mil announced by Anwar in March.

"On top of that, an additional RM150mil has been allocated for Johor recently.

"In terms of cash aid to the people, the Federal Government has also allocated RM1,000 for each family.

"A further RM2,500 has been allocated to each affected family for basic needs, RM3,000 for the repair of homes, and RM10,000 for deaths.

"I would like to stress that all flood victims, including those who are not staying at temporary relief centres, are eligible to receive aid from the Federal and state governments," he said.

He said the state government had also channelled cash handouts to the head of each family affected by the floods, with RM3.3mil given out to date.