Gunung Jerai mudflow: Federal govt channels immediate aid of RM75 million to Kedah

YAN, Aug 23  -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announced an immediate aid of RM75 million for Kedah to repair all damaged infrastructure and public facilities in Yan and Merbok following the Gunung Jerai mudflow last Wednesday.

He said the aid included RM50 million allocation from the Ministry of Environment and Water which would be used to upgrade the river and irrigation system covering a distance of 27 kilometres at a cost of RM5 million.

The allocation will also be used to build two new bridges (RM23 million), to construct water treatment plant intakes in Gurun and Tupah (RM2 million), to implement Phase One of Shabo Dam construction (RM20 million) as well as to repair rural tourism facilities and to restore the water supply.

“At the same time, the government through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will also channel RM500 to each family affected by the incident.

“An immediate aid of RM5,000 would also be given to the families who lost their loved ones in the incident,” he told a press conference after visiting the areas affected by the mudflow.

-- BERNAMA