KOTA KINABALU (Sept 23): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the State Government is reviewing whether the 13 victims who perished in the recent flood and landslide disaster are eligible to receive benefits under the Sabah People’s Insurance Scheme.

“I have already discussed with the Finance Ministry to channel assistance related to deaths under the said insurance scheme. Therefore, I will review and ensure whether they qualify or not,” he said to reporters after officiating the “Program Kedai Jujur 2025” (Honest Shop 2025 Programme) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Mutiara here on Tuesday.

According to him, although the decision on the insurance scheme is still being studied, the government has already extended immediate assistance to the victims’ families.

“From the government’s side, we have already provided aid through the Sabah Welfare Foundation, amounting to RM10,000 to each bereaved family. In addition, the State Government has also channelled RM10,000,” he explained.

He added that further investigations will be carried out to determine whether the insurance scheme also covers the victims of the incident.

The Sabah government officially launched the Sabah People’s Insurance Scheme in May this year to provide personal accident coverage to approximately 2.7 million residents across the state.

State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun emphasized that this is the first initiative of its kind in the state, designed with the people’s welfare — particularly the B40 group — in mind.