THE Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) has allocated RM580,000 under the Skuad Ihsan Madani SKM Prihatin and Gerakan Koperasi initiatives to assist flood victims in the affected states.

Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said of the total amount, Kelantan received the largest allocation of RM200,000, as it had the highest number of people affected by the floods.

He said more than 2,000 heads of households (KIR) out of 5,800 KIR in Kelantan were expected to benefit from the initiatives, which would include home cleaning kits and food baskets.

“The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (Kuskop) (through SKM) remains committed to assisting those affected by the floods. I hope more assistance will be provided (after this).

“This is a long-standing practice through SKM, but we should also thank the prime minister for his unwavering concern for flood victims, regardless of their political background,” he said after launching the Skuad Ihsan Madani SKM Prihatin and Gerakan Koperasi initiatives here on Thursday.

Also present were Kuskop secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, deputy secretarygeneral (entrepreneurial development) Datuk Zamri Salleh, SKM chairman Lieutenant General (R) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal and SKM chief executive officer Datuk Rusli Jaafar.

The launch of the Skuad Ihsan Madani SKM Prihatin and Gerakan Koperasi in Kelantan was marked by a flag-off ceremony involving 14 four-wheel-drive vehicles and a lorry, representing the 14 parliamentary constituencies across the state.

In the meantime, Ramanan said any cooperative under SKM with assets or projects affected by the flood disaster was eligible to receive assistance from the emergency fund, with a maximum amount of RM30,000.

However, to apply for the fund, a police report was required, along with meeting the other terms and conditions.