2022 has been a rollercoaster ride for Malaysia. While Malaysia is finally approaching the endemic level this year, the country has been hit by the worst flood of the decade. Both public and private organisations are coming forward to help the flood victims to contain the crisis.

Click here to read the article of 7 developers who came to aid flood victims in Malaysia.

However, more resources are quickly becoming emergent as the flood continues even in the second quarter of 2022. The Malaysian government sees the crisis to offer not only temporary help to flood survivors but also put long term measures in effect to better prepare for future floods.

Here, we highlight some significant measures taken by the government to attend to the flood crisis through various government organisations

1. Approximately RM2 billion aid by Keluarga Malaysia Flood Assistance

   Keluarga Malaysia Flood Assistance has been the government’s primary source to help the flood victims. Initially, the government allocated RM1.4 billion to Keluarga Malaysia Flood Assistance to provide various assistance to the flood victims, but now the cost may well go up to RM2 billion.

   The assistance includes:

   • Cash aid and death assistance to affected households.
   • Electricity bill exemption to 45,000 households for December 2021.
   • RM500 to flood victims to buy electrical appliances damaged by the flood.
   • RM2,500 to the affected people to buy household supplies.
   • Automotive assistance of RM1,000 to fix vehicles or buy new ones.

2. Disaster Relief Facility 2022 (DRF 2022) by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)

   While Keluarga Malaysia Flood Assistance is looking after the immediate needs of the flood victims, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced RM200 million financing facilities to help businesses.

   Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the recent floods are eligible for Disaster Relief Facility 2022 (DRF 2022) from 27 December 2021. It offers RM500,000 financing to SMEs and RM75,000 financing to micro-enterprises. With a financing rate of 3.5% per annum, the tenure of this facility is up to 5 years, with a 6 months moratorium period on both principal and interest payments.

   BNM believes DRF 2022 will assist businesses to recoup from the flood damage. Business owners can use the money to cover the repair cost of assets damaged in floods. They can also use it as working capital to compensate for the losses hailed by the natural disaster.

3. Padi variety, IS22, development by The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA)

   The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA) is currently developing IS22, a padi variety that can be flood resilient. Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, says the research for this new padi variety was already underway before the severity of the flood hit the nation.

   The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA) wanted to ensure that the farmers do not suffer losses due to climate and weather changes. So, they collaborated with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara to successfully pursue the project.

   The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency under the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia framework are also part of the project, acting as technical assistants for the team.

4. RM1 million aid from the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT)

   On 10 March 2022, a landslide in Taman Bukit Permai 2, Ampang, took 4 lives. 15 houses and 10 vehicles were damaged due to the untimely disaster. To help the affected people, the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) is providing RM1 million to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

   Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said once the area is classified as safe, the aid will be used to clean the affected site. He further said that if the residents of the landslide site need additional assistance, the aid will be utilised to cater to those needs.

   ‘We are also calling on the related departments to carry out slope-risk analysis to ensure local residents are safe in their housing area,’ he told the reporters after inspecting the site on 11 March 2022.

   Tan Sri Noh Omar, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Chairman of Selangor National Security Council (MKN), also visited the site for inspection. Addressing the reports, he said, ‘The time has come for the federal government to conduct a study on the condition of hills and highlands, especially in Ampang areas. We do not want another Highland Towers incident to occur.’

To know more about the flood situation in Malaysia and recent happenings affecting the housing industry, stay tuned to the Guyub news portal.