Flood victims need more aid - Najib

The government would look for additional resources and aid for the victims of the recent floods in the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

He said he realised that the federal government aid of RM500 per household was inadequate because many of the victims suffered major losses in the disaster.

"I am most concerned about the plight of the flood victims in the whole country, particularly Pahang.

"I saw for myself the situation in (the settlement in) Sungai Isap, Kuantan. I saw the floodwaters up to the roof, for up to three days.

"I was able to picture the damage each of the families had to bear," he said at the presentation of federal aid to flood victims and recognition of the services of flood relief volunteers at the Abu Bakar Mosque, here.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kasim and 1Malaysia Putera Club president Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim were also present at the event.

Najib said going by his estimation, each household in Sungai Isap would have suffered a loss of between RM25,000 and RM30,000.

"In terms of the financial loss, the government's aid (of RM500) has to be augmented. We have to look for additional resources. Today, we are carrying out a special programme of the 1Malaysia Putera Club," he said.

The prime minister performed Friday prayers at the mosque.

The floods which hit Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan earlier this month affected more than 100,000 people from about 30,000 households. In Pahang alone, 13,054 households fell victim.

Meanwhile, Abdul Azeez said the aid distributed by the club today in Pahang included mattresses, pillows and kitchenettes.

"A total of 29,921 mattresses, 59,842 pillows and 29,921 kitchenettes were handed over," he said.

He added that Tabung Haji had contributed, among other things, 10,000 pieces each of sarong, batik material, 'tudung' (head scarf) and prayer mat for the flood victims in Pahang.