Floods: Sabah to give RM1,000 aid to each affected family

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has announced immediate cash assistance of RM1,000 for each of Sunday's (June 30) flood-hit families.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced this when meeting evacuees at the temporary shelter at Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang near here on Monday (July 1).

Relief workers said there were a total of 328 evacuees in Penampang, Tuaran and Tamparuli as of 4pm following flooding that hit six districts in west coast Sabah.

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Hajiji gave an assurance that both state and Federal governments were concerned about those affected by the floods and would help all the victims.

"The state government sympathises with their plight, so we are prepared to give emergency cash assistance of RM1,000 to each family.

"The Federal Government, through Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick (who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister), will also help the victims," Hajiji added.

He said the state would consider further assistance to those whose homes were badly damaged by the floods.

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With more rain forecast for the coming week, Hajiji also ordered local authorities to be on full alert and take immediate steps to clear drains in their respective jurisdictions.

"Do not wait until it rains before taking action. We must be prepared," he said.

Earlier, Penampang district officer Francis Chong briefed the Chief Minister on the situation in Penampang.

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Chong said so far, 165 people from 67 families had sought refuge at the temporary shelter since it was activated at 5.25pm on Sunday.

A total of 11 villages were flooded on Sunday, with one fatality reported.

Hajiji, who was accompanied by Ewon, also visited the badly hit Kg Tuavon and Kg Hungab.