RM200 Mln In Bantuan Wang Ihsan Distributed To Flood Victims Last Year - Ahmad Zahid

KUALA NERUS, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- The Federal Government distributed RM200 million in Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) to flood victims nationwide last year, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said 97 per cent of the BWI payments had been disbursed, with the remaining three per cent expected to be completed within three months.

“The remaining three per cent has not been disbursed due to issues such as incomplete documentation and is being processed by the district-level disaster committee.

“The process will be completed in no more than three months once all documentation is complete,” he told reporters after officiating the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) retreat programme and the launch of the KKDW Strategic Plan 2026-2030 here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the government had introduced several improvements to the BWI, including increasing the amount of assistance and ensuring payments were made to flood victims while they were still at relief centres.

He said the BWI enabled flood victims to carry out immediate repairs to goods and equipment in their homes affected by the disaster.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, in a Facebook post, said synergy between the government, the private sector and the community would continue to be strengthened to ensure that the needs and well-being of the people remain a priority, especially ahead of Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that, as chairman of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) Executive Committee, he believed efforts to address the cost of living required an integrated ecosystem.

“Today, I officiated the launch of the ‘Mega Rahmah Ramadan dan Kasih Syawal’ campaign organised by MYDIN Mohamed Holdings Berhad at MYDIN HQ USJ Subang, which reflects our continued commitment to helping the people obtain essential goods and Hari Raya items at affordable prices,” he said.

He said that the campaign would also help empower local products to expand further in the mainstream market.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid also officiated the launch of the ‘Kak Long’ cooking oil brand, which is set to enter the MYDIN market network.

“I view the inclusion of local products as a positive step towards providing more opportunities for local entrepreneurs to grow and compete effectively in the national retail market.

“Keep supporting local products, as every support strengthens the people's economy and creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow further,” he said.

--BERNAMA