Allocate at least RM300 million for flood victims in several Malaysian states, 15.1.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Government to allocate at least RM300 million for the flood victims in several states in Malaysia, especially Johor and Melaka.

Dr Tan comments on the second wave of flooding that has caused further suffering, including 100,000 victims in relief centres in Johor.

The unusual Monsoon rain is causing havoc especially in Johor. Besides emergency measures to protect lives, the Government must find out the losses in all aspects and the factors leading to severe flooding and inadequate rescue operations.

Before the actual assessment of the damage due to the first wave last month can be completed, the second wave results in more suffering and destruction. We hope that all the services perform their rescue operations effectively, avoiding the weaknesses seen during the first wave.
Apart from human losses during the first wave, a very minimal estimate of damage in some sectors include at least RM81 million in roads,RM11.5 million in schools, RM6.7 million in plantations, and RM6.5 million in electricity supply. Before we can know the actual damage, the second wave has inflicted more losses.

The Government should allocate at least RM300 million for the flood victims, in addition to those measures taken after the first wave, such as RM3 million from the National Welfare Foundation, RM4.816 million for 33,854 students in Johor, RM500 million loans with 2.5% interest from Bank Negara to businessmen in affected states.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism allocates RM250 million for the 2007 Visit Malaysia Year(VMY). All Malaysians should support VMY to attract 20.1 million tourists to the country compared with 17.5 million last year. We hope that the tourists will bring in RMRM44.5 billion campared with RM37.4 billion in 2006.

Tan Seng Giaw