MIRI (Feb 7): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak secretary Alan Ling has voiced full support for Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s proposal to increase the initial flood aid from RM1,000 per household to RM3,000.

Ling stressed that the current RM1,000 aid per affected household is insufficient, given the devastating losses caused by the massive floods across the state.

“We saw the photos circulating in the media; not only the houses were flooded, but also the cars that were severely flood-damaged.

“In fact, household appliances and furniture such as refrigerators, washing machines, televisions and other electrical and electronic items were also damaged.

“For families living in single-storey houses, many of their furniture and household appliances could not be rescued in time and were damaged by the floods,” Ling pointed out.

Chong made the proposal during a debate on the emergency motion submitted by Miri MP Chiew Choon Man regarding the recent floods and landslides that severely impacted several areas in Sarawak and Sabah.

The flood-affected victims, Ling emphasised, would need much support to cope with the losses.

“With the RM3000 assistance, it can, to some extent, ease the burden of the flood victims and to enable them to start a new life after this natural disaster,” he said.

He also urged the government to extend assistance to families who did not relocate to temporary evacuation centres (PPS), as they, too, faced significant challenges.

“Families who did not move to PPS were most probably facing difficulties in moving, perhaps due to the large number of family members or other factors such as having unhealthy family members.

“They may also worry of experiencing loss of property and for this, I hope the federal government will be more concerned about the victims’ welfare and accept this proposal as RM1,000 is indeed not enough to bear the cost of the damage caused,” said Ling.