FEDERAL GOVT COMES TO PENANG’S AID
PM: AVOID DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHICH CAN AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT
AS Penangites vent their frustrations on the state government over its poor handling of the floods, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says the Federal Government has committed RM150 million to address the problem and will consider additional allocations. After surveying the devastation, Najib says Penang needs 13 flood mitigation projects, costing RM1 billion. Yesterday, federal agencies descended on Penang to see how they can help.
THE Federal Government has committed to a RM150 million allocation to address the floods problem in Penang and would consider additional allocations.
Based on a briefing by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the state would need 13 minor and major projects worth RM1 billion if it were to solve the perennial problem in the long run.
“We are willing to consider additional allocations, depending on our budget.
“I have asked for a meeting between the Federal and state governments to determine how flood-mitigation projects could be implemented so that we can address the problem in the future.
“What is important is the wellbeing and safety of the people. This is what we are prioritising,” he said after visiting more than 200 flood victims at SMA Rakyat Ar-Ridwan here yesterday.
Present was Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Najib, who was in Penang to assess the aftermath of the devastating floods that crippled the state from Sunday, cautioned the Penang government against approving development projects that could adversely impact the environment.
Reminding the DAP-led government that such projects would only aggravate Penang’s environmental condition in the future, Najib said guidelines and conditions on development projects should be strictly observed and that developers should not merely focus on profits.
“The Penang government has to take into account all development projects including housing, so that it can be ready to prevent disasters like this (flood) from happening,” he said.
Najib said it had always been the stand of the Federal Government to aid states in need.
“When Kelantan experienced floods, we helped them. Now, we will help Penang.”
Elaborating on the RM150 million as well as the 13 flood mitigation projects, Najib said the projects would be done in stages.
“The projects will be completed in a few years. That is just the first phase.
“We will top up the allocation, bearing in mind the seriousness of what has happened... but the actual amount will be subject to further discussions between the Federal and state governments,” he added.
On the issue of compensation, he said: “That will come later.”
“Some of the victims I spoke to are depressed... there is this one old lady who lost all her belongings.
“We will determine and see what kind of aid we can give ... We don’t know how long this is going to last as there are predictions of a second and third wave, let’s wait until it is all over to ascertain losses,” Najib, who was accompanied on his visit by wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, said.
“Let’s all pray that the victims stay strong,” he added.
Present were several members of the cabinet, including Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
Najib said government-linked companies had been roped in to help flood victims through their disaster-response network.
Non-governmental organisations, such as Mercy, would also provide the necessary aid.
He said he was happy with the cooperation between the Federal and state governments in handling the floods.
“I have also instructed Kelab Putera 1Malaysia to help ... In fact, they are doing an excellent job. So, this is an example of the government and people coming together as a team,” he said.
Puteri Umno left the federal capital for Penang yesterday to help the state deal with the aftermath of the floods.
Its chief, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, said 12 vehicles carrying 50 members, as well as dry products, cooking essentials, schooling aid and other items went to flood-hit locations, such as Tasek Gelugor dan Permatang Pauh.
“The volunteers will join 600 others from Perak,” she said, adding that another squad would head for Kedah.
As of yesterday morning, the number of flood victims in evacuation centres in four districts in Penang showed a decline with 6,080 people from 1,572 families compared with 6,243 from 1,588 families before.