KUCHING (Feb 13): The RM1,000 one-off flood relief assistance for each household affected by the recent floods in Sarawak will be distributed soon, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the allocation for the aid is already available, pending confirmation of the recipient list.

“We have agreed to provide RM1,000 to each household affected by the floods, and this assistance will be distributed through SDMC at the divisional and district levels.

“There are 4,966 affected households, with a total of 16,700 victims placed in 86 temporary evacuation centres, including landslide and fire victims,” he said.

Uggah was speaking to reporters after receiving a RM300,000 donation cheque from the National Welfare Foundation (YKN) to the Sarawak government at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.

Federal Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri, who is also YKN chairperson, handed over the cheque to Uggah.

Expressing gratitude to YKN for its contribution, Uggah highlighted that Sarawak had also received RM12.8 million from the federal government to assist flood victims.

Additionally, the Sarawak government has allocated RM10 million for the same purpose, as previously announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said Sarawak had also received contributions from Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) with RM2 million, Bumiputera Contractors Association of Malaysia (RM50,000), and MBSB Bank Berhad (RM100,000).

“We thank all parties who have contributed to SDMC, enabling us to assist the flood victims, repair damaged infrastructures, and more,” he said.

Uggah added that SDMC is currently assessing damages to infrastructure, including clinics, schools, hospitals, and roads.

The findings would be presented at the State Cabinet meeting next week and forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for further action.

Meanwhile, Nancy said YKN would also be heading to Sabah next week to provide similar assistance to flood victims there.

“We deeply sympathise with what Sarawak is facing, and that is why we at YKN believe that this is the best way to help,” she said.

SYDNEY, Feb 13 — A severe tropical cyclone was rapidly building strength off Australia’s minerals-rich west coast on Thursday, whipping up destructive winds and forcing the closure of a global iron ore-shipping hub.

Government forecasters said Cyclone Zelia was expected to build into a category five system – the strongest on the scale – before making landfall on Friday afternoon.

Port Hedland, one of the world’s largest iron ore loading ports, has cleared vessels and shut down in anticipation.

“It will continue to rapidly develop today and then start moving towards the coast,” Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore said.

Narramore said the cyclone would bring “damaging and destructive winds” stronger than 160 kilometres (100 miles) per hour.

Gusts could be as strong as 290 kilometres (180 miles) an hour near the centre, he said.

Category five systems are “extremely dangerous” and can cause “widespread destruction of buildings”, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“That’s why we are so concerned about our residents through this part of the Pilbara coast,” Narramore said.

“It is an intense and dangerous system.”

The cyclone was likely to land near Port Hedland – about 17 hours’ drive north of state capital Perth – before tracking inland across sparsely populated mining and cattle country.

Emergency Services Western Australia urged residents to tie down trampolines and board up exposed windows.

“There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a cyclone is approaching the area.”

The northwest coast of Western Australia is the most cyclone-prone region in the country, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

It also has “the highest incidence of cyclones in the southern hemisphere”.

The region holds significant deposits of iron ore, copper and gold, and is home to some of Australia’s largest mining operations. — AFP

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is ramping up efforts to address road damage, water supply issues, and project delays, with key agencies set to meet next week to coordinate solutions.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said all district engineers and concessionaires under the Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) will be called for a meeting following concerns raised by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during a recent state cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, the Works Department said PWD is taking decisive steps to repair roads damaged by recent floods and landslides, with emergency measures in place to restore access to affected areas.

“PWD is updating reports on complaints and damages caused by the recent floods, as some areas are still affected. If a road is cut off, they will take emergency action to repair it or provide a temporary alternative route that is safe for use,” he said.

He stressed that maintaining key transport links is a top priority, adding that extensive damage may require immediate design works and recovery efforts.

Shahelmey also highlighted the government’s efforts to address project delays, revealing that many of the 400 projects previously reported as stalled were actually terminated and are now being revived.

“We will hold monthly monitoring meetings to identify projects that can be implemented as soon as possible. We are also requesting a detailed breakdown to determine which projects have yet to commence,” he explained.

At the Chap Goh Mei celebration, Shahelmey urged Putatan residents to uphold unity, stressing that a strong community is essential for continued development and prosperity.

The event drew around 1,000 attendees, featuring a traditional lion dance and the distribution of angpau to senior citizens, children, and other guests.