(Miri, 6th) YB Chong Chieng Jen speaks up for disaster victims, urging the federal government to raise the flood relief fund from the current RM1000 to RM3000 per household, especially for families severely affected, to effectively address their losses.
In this regard, Sarawak DAP Secretary Alan Ling expressed support and hoped that the federal government would seriously consider this, as the RM1000 relief fund per household is far from sufficient to compensate for the severe losses suffered by disaster victims.
"Many victims had their houses and cars submerged, electrical appliances like refrigerators, TVs, furniture, etc. were damaged beyond use, and they also need to repair doors, windows, floors, etc., all of which require additional expenses."
He pointed out that some also need medical expenses because they accidentally injured themselves during the flood, especially the elderly, so it is hoped that the federal government will empathize with the disaster victims' situation and be willing to raise the amount to at least RM3000 per household.
In view of this, Alan Ling called on the federal government to respond to Chong Chieng Jen's suggestion and also provide relief funds for those who did not register to enter temporary evacuation centers but whose homes were still flooded.
He explained that some affected families stayed overnight at relatives or friends' homes, and some might still be able to live on the second floor, so not every household needed to stay at evacuation centers. Therefore, the distribution of relief funds should be carefully managed to ensure disaster-stricken families receive appropriate aid.
The current RM1000 relief fund issued by the federal government per household is timely, but in today's high inflation society, it is certainly inadequate to make up for the losses suffered by the disaster victims.
In this regard, Sarawak DAP Secretary Alan Ling expressed support and hoped that the federal government would seriously consider this, as the RM1000 relief fund per household is far from sufficient to compensate for the severe losses suffered by disaster victims.
"Many victims had their houses and cars submerged, electrical appliances like refrigerators, TVs, furniture, etc. were damaged beyond use, and they also need to repair doors, windows, floors, etc., all of which require additional expenses."
He pointed out that some also need medical expenses because they accidentally injured themselves during the flood, especially the elderly, so it is hoped that the federal government will empathize with the disaster victims' situation and be willing to raise the amount to at least RM3000 per household.
In view of this, Alan Ling called on the federal government to respond to Chong Chieng Jen's suggestion and also provide relief funds for those who did not register to enter temporary evacuation centers but whose homes were still flooded.
He explained that some affected families stayed overnight at relatives or friends' homes, and some might still be able to live on the second floor, so not every household needed to stay at evacuation centers. Therefore, the distribution of relief funds should be carefully managed to ensure disaster-stricken families receive appropriate aid.
The current RM1000 relief fund issued by the federal government per household is timely, but in today's high inflation society, it is certainly inadequate to make up for the losses suffered by the disaster victims.