By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, July 6 — The state government is willing to consider extending financial assistance to residents in Baling, Kedah, who were affected by the recent floods and water surges.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the matter will be discussed in the State Executive Council Meeting (MMKN) today.
He explained their focus now is to restore services to the 12 affected localities using the state’s Special Action Squad (Pantas) which will remove the downed trees to reopen the blocked routes.
“In the first and second day after the disaster, we will focus on clearing so the victims can return home as soon as possible. After that, we will announce (financial assistance),” Amirudin said after flagging off the state’s post-flood relief mission to Baling earlier today.
The Selangor Penyayang Mission was led by Selangor Disaster Management Unit division secretary Mohd Ikram Rahimi, alongside 189 personnel from 12 local authorities and 20 members of the Selangor Volunteer (Serve).
“We also sent lorries, RoRo barrels, excavators and four-wheel drives, as well as post-flood cleaning equipment,” he said.
A total of 33 pieces of machinery and 112 power tools were brought along in the relief mission, including four-wheel drive (4×4) vehicles, vans, Roll-On-Roll-Off (RoRo) trucks, and tipper trucks.
Heavy rain for almost three hours in Baling on Monday (July 4) afternoon caused Sungai Kupang’s water level to overflow, flooding the homes of nearby residents which resulted in three deaths and destroying seven houses.
