Ahmad Zahid speaking with an evacuee at the Dewan Umno temporary relief centre on Dec 1. – BERNAMApic
BAGAN DATUK: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is on alert for the possibility of a second wave of floods, while ensuring coordination of compassionate aid and immediately seeing to the requirements of victims.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said preparations have been enhanced following the extraordinary weather phenomenon, including the occurrence of a tropical cyclone (Tropical Storm Senyar) in the Straits of Malacca, which rarely occurs, causing previously unaffected areas to be inundated.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said additional assistance has been coordinated and is in place so that compassionate aid can be disbursed.
"According to regulations, compassionate aid is given three days after a temporary relief centre is closed," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the flood situation here on Monday (Dec 1).
"My instruction is that there is nothing wrong with giving it out when evacuees are still at the centre.
"I have instructed that, starting today, this aid must be provided, as flood victims urgently need money to buy new household equipment and appliances to replace those damaged by floods.
"I know that it is insufficient, but the government's concern is to help, and we do not pay out compensation because this is fated by Allah SWT, and we must accept it," he added.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Bagan Datuk MP, said preparations for the possibility of a second or third wave of floods have also been coordinated.
"Because we (Nadma), coincidentally, held the preparedness month in Jerantut, Pahang, last month, and we have also coordinated it at the national, state and district levels.
"So, the coordination will be much better this time, InsyaAllah,” he said.
On his visit to several relief centres here today, Ahmad Zahid said water could not be supplied to the areas where the facilities are located because of a burst pipe.
He added that he has asked the Perak Water Board (LAP) to send tankers to the affected areas to pump water into the centres’ main tanks so that the evacuees there have adequate supply.
He thanked the parties involved in helping to resolve flood problems nationwide, including in the Bagan Datuk district.
Earlier, he visited the Dewan Umno relief centre before attending the briefing.
He then visited the District Office Hall and Tanah Bagan Datuk relief centres, surveyed his residence in Kampung Sungai Nipah Darat and visited the Bagan Datuk Youth and Sports Ministry Hall relief centre. – Bernama
