THE cost to repair basic infrastructure destroyed in the recent floods is estimated at RM1bil, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will expedite assistance to repair schools, hospitals and roads.
He said the government will also consider compensation for flood victims.
“While I agree there should be compensation for flood victims to rebuild their homes, we need to wait for the overall details as the flood has started receding in Kelantan and Terengganu.
“I cannot provide any specific commitments regarding this matter yet,” Anwar said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) who asked him whether the government would consider compensation for flood victims.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government’s priority at the moment is to provide instant relief, which includes food and road repairs in flood-stricken areas.
Mumtaz had also asked Anwar to state whether the National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy will be accelerated for mega flood mitigation facilities.
On this, Anwar said several flood mitigation projects in Kelantan and Terengganu are expected to be fully implemented by early next year.
He said the flood mitigation projects in Pahang are still in the early stages.
The Prime Minister said the latest technology – hydrology data, telemetry and weather numerical models – is being used in the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme.