‘SMJK can use allocation for repairs’
Wee: They can spend the RM500,000 to recover from flood damage
BUKIT MERTAJAM: A secondary school badly affected by the floods here has been given permission to use the special government allocation for repair works.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said SMJK Jit Sin could spend the RM500,000 originally approved for school and toilet repairs to recover from the flood damage.
He was referring to the fund that came as part of the RM15mil allocation for 81 conforming schools nationwide from the Government for maintenance and minor works.
“The fund will be handed over to SMJK Jit Sin as soon as possible.
“We give the school the flexibility to utilise the money to repair the damage caused by floods, which should be the priority now,” he said.
Dr Wee was in Penang to visit the school and other evacuation centres yesterday together with state MCA chief Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.
His assurance came as a relief to SMJK Jit Sin principal Lim Thiam Aun, who said the school’s computers, main servers and musical instruments were destroyed by the knee-high floodwaters.
Dr Wee, also MCA deputy president, added that the party would work with federal and state agencies to assist the flood victims during this trying time.
“Political belief does not matter now. The most important thing is to ensure that help can be rendered as soon as spossible,” he said.
Dr Wee said MCA had contacted mattress manufacturers to prepare 1,000 single mattresses for flood victims.
“When we talked to the victims, they said they have little complaints about the food and temporary shelter provided, but are worried about the condition of their houses as their furniture and mattresses are most probably ruined.
“The mattresses will arrive in Penang within the next two days. They will be distributed by the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM),” he added.
Meanwhile, MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the CRSM has begun to mobilise volunteers for flood relief work in Penang and Kedah.
“To date, two groups of volunteers from Johor and one group from Perak have reached Penang. More volunteer groups are expected to join in relief assistance,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Members of the public keen on making donations, providing supplies or joining the relief operations can contact MCA at 03-2203 3920 (office hours) or 019-669 6278 (after office hours).
For details related to donations, e-mail gocare.org.my@gmail.com.