JOHOR BARU: RM11.2mil in financial assistance will be distributed to flood-hit families in Johor, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said each of the 3,749 heads of household would receive RM3,000 in aid on Thursday (March 27) to help them with post-flood cleanup efforts.
“The recipients are those who registered at temporary relief centres in the six districts affected by the recent floods,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 26).
The continuous downpour on March 19 caused floods in Johor Baru, Kulai, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Kluang and Batu Pahat, forcing more than 11,000 people to evacuate to relief centres.
The situation has improved gradually as the waters receded, with many returning to their homes.
Onn Hafiz said the state government has also allocated funds to help the needy in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
This includes RM18.4mil in financial aid to 90,439 hardcore poor, and RM1.5mil to assist 5,000 Muslim converts, including those from the Orang Asli community, he said.
He added that one-off aid totaling RM3.4mil would be given to 6,970 imam and bilal by the end of this month, while 646 village chiefs would receive RM500 each, amounting to RM323,000.
The 43 heads of Orang Asli communities would receive a total of RM21,500 in aid while 26 Orang Asli development and safety committee chairmen would benefit from aid amounting to RM13,000.
“To help the people with festive preparations, the state government has allocated RM1.6mil to subsidise the Jualan Kasih Johor initiative in 57 locations until Saturday (March 29).
“This initiative offers discounted items to more than 200,000 consumers while supporting over 300 local traders,” Onn Hafiz said.
He said the state had also given out RM787,050 worth of Hari Raya food baskets to help 15,741 recipients at low-cost flats.
“Not forgetting the uniformed bodies and public healthcare workers who keep our nation safe, we have also disbursed RM5.4mil to 54,901 frontliners,” he added.
This includes police, army, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department and Immigration personnel at both Johor’s land checkpoints as well as doctors and nurses, he said, adding that 20,821 state civil servants would also receive Hari Raya aid of RM1,000.
“The state hopes the aid can help lessen the people’s burden for the festive season and act as a motivation for civil servants to continue serving the public,” the Mentri Besar added.
