KUANTAN: Apologising for the shortcomings in efforts to help flood victims here, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Pahang would top up the RM500 that he had pledged to each of them.
The Prime Minister said he would propose to the Pahang government to come out with the additional funds.
Saying the disaster was something nobody wanted to happen, Najib added that he sympathised with the victims who suffered losses amounting to thousands of ringgit.
“We will consider giving additional financial aid,” he said when addressing victims at the SM Sungai Isap Murni evacuation centre yesterday.
Najib, who is the Pekan MP, said Pahang was badly hit with some 40,000 evacuees and that Kuantan town was “paralysed” by the floods.
The Prime Minister advised the victims to be patient and “not point fingers”.
“We admit our weaknesses especially on the first day of the floods as it happened so fast. Rescuers in trucks were hampered by cars parked all over the place.
“However, the following day, the situation was under control and we managed to help them,” he said.
Najib assured that the Government would study how to overcome this problem in the future and wanted the Drainage and Irrigation Department to submit its report as soon as possible.
Earlier in Nusajaya, Johor, Najib said Khazanah Nasional Bhd would provide RM10mil in aid to the flood victims.
“The contribution is to aid relief and recovery efforts,” he said, adding that the funds would also be used to shore up the state-of-preparedness in facing future floods.
On another issue, Najib said the overwhelming support shown for Traders Hotel and Legoland Malaysia was further proof of the success of Iskandar Malaysia.
“Since its launch in June, Traders Hotel has welcomed 90,000 guests while Legoland Malaysia has received more than two million visitors.”
Najib said he attended a meeting with Khazanah’s board on Tuesday and had been briefed on its encouraging growth and performance.
“I am confident that future Khazanah projects will also enjoy similar successes,” he added.
– THE STAR
