Latest news with #BantuanWangIhsan
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Express
RM3 million Penampang flood aid distribution starts
Published on: Thursday, August 07, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 Text Size: Ewon (third from right) presents a contribution to one of the victims. PENAMPANG: A total of 3,293 heads of households affected by floods in this district between June 30 and July last year have begun receiving financial assistance under the National Disaster Management Agency's (Nadma) Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) programme. Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the distribution of aid amounting to over RM3 million is being carried out in stages from today until Friday at the KDCA Hall in Penampang with the Penampang District Council. Advertisement 'This assistance cannot replace the losses, trauma, or hardship faced, but it reflects the joint efforts of various parties to support those affected,' he said. He added that the aid distribution was the result of cross-agency collaboration, involving leadership and civil servants from multiple ministries, agencies, and departments to ensure the funds were delivered to those eligible. Ewon also outlined several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving disaster management and reducing the impact of flooding in Penampang. These include the installation of early warning siren systems in frequently affected villages such as Kg Kodundungan, Nambazan, Penampang Proper, Putaton, Kolopis and Sugud. Advertisement Additionally, 21 buildings including schools, community halls, and churches located in high-risk areas are proposed to be gazetted as Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS). Ewon also stressed the importance of ongoing flood mitigation works under Packages 1 and 3, with additional projects in the pipeline to support and complete the broader mitigation efforts. Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), in coordination with the Council, continues to carry out maintenance work on rivers and drainage systems as part of a long-term plan to reduce the risk of recurring floods. 'With these efforts and support from all stakeholders, we hope to minimise the risk of severe flooding in the future,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
3,293 flood-affected households in Penampang receive aid
Flood victims receiving aid at KDCA on Wednesday. – Bernama photo PENAMPANG (Aug 6): A total of 3,293 heads of household (KIR) affected by the floods in Penampang district between June 30 and July last year have received compassionate aid (Bantuan Wang Ihsan – BWI), disbursed through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that the distribution of aid amounting to over RM3 million is being carried out in stages starting Wednesday until Friday, in collaboration with the Penampang District Council (MPPg), held at the KDCA Hall, Penampang. 'This aid can never fully replace the losses, trauma and exhaustion experienced, but it reflects the commitment of various parties to assist residents affected by the floods. 'It is the result of collaborative efforts across agencies, from leaders to civil servants in numerous ministries, agencies, and departments, to ensure the funds are properly allocated and delivered to the affected households,' he said. He said this when met by reporters after officiating the aid handover ceremony at KDCA Hall on Wednesday. Ewon said several initiatives have been implemented and are ongoing to strengthen disaster management and reduce the impact of flooding in the Penampang district. 'These include the installation of early warning systems in the form of sirens in several frequently affected villages such as Kampung Kodundungan, Nambazan, Penampang Proper, Putaton, Kolopis and Sugud. 'This measure aims to provide earlier alerts to residents to prepare for any eventuality,' he said. He added that 21 buildings, including schools, community halls and churches in high-risk areas, are being proposed for gazettement as temporary evacuation centres. He also stressed the importance of the ongoing flood mitigation projects under Package 1 and Package 3, and stated that follow-up projects are also being planned to support these efforts. At the same time, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, together with MPPg, continues to carry out river and drainage maintenance works as a long-term measure to reduce the risk of recurring floods. 'I hope that with all these efforts, including support from all relevant stakeholders, we can prevent severe flood disasters like those that have occurred in the past,' he said.
Borneo Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Miri MP urges comprehensive action six months after floods, landslide
Chiew (right) looks at the damages caused by a landslide during a visit to Hilltop Garden recently. MIRI (June 19): Nearly six months after severe floods and a deadly landslide struck Miri, MP Chiew Choon Man is calling for sustained recovery efforts and long-term mitigation planning to protect the city from future disasters. In a statement today, Chiew stressed that post-disaster work must continue beyond initial aid, highlighting the need for consistent follow-up nearly half a year after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding across Miri and surrounding divisions. The same weather event also caused a deadly landslide at the foot of Canada Hill in Kampung Lereng Bukit, claiming lives and destroying homes. 'This tragedy has tested the resilience of our community. It must serve as a powerful lesson for all of us in building a safer, more prepared Miri,' he said. Chiew thanked government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the thousands of volunteers who responded during the emergency. He also acknowledged the federal and Sarawak governments for their early support, including the RM1,000 Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) cash aid and initial allocations for repairs and recovery. However, he cautioned that meaningful recovery cannot end with first-response measures. 'It is our collective responsibility to ensure follow-up actions continue and are not just reactive measures when issues go viral,' Chiew said. Chiew urged authorities to ensure that BWI payments are completed fairly and promptly, regardless of whether victims stayed in official Temporary Relief Centres (PPS) or elsewhere. 'No one should be left behind in the recovery process.' He also called for the repair and restoration of flood-damaged homes and infrastructure to be expedited. He emphasised the need for these efforts to follow a clear implementation schedule, with consistent oversight to ensure timely completion. On mitigation, Chiew pressed for the urgent finalisation of a slope safety study for Canada Hill, especially in the affected Kampung Lereng Bukit area, and the immediate implementation of a long-term landslide prevention plan to safeguard surrounding communities. Equally pressing, he said, is the need to accelerate Miri's flood mitigation strategy. This includes drainage upgrades, construction of retention ponds, riverbank reinforcements, and sustainable urban development to reduce the city's exposure to future weather-related disasters. To push for concrete progress, Chiew said he will convene meetings with relevant agencies to obtain updates and intends to raise the matter in Parliament, including requesting additional allocations if current funds fall short. 'Recovery is not just about rebuilding; it's about preventing future disasters. Let this serve as a turning point for Miri to become a safer, more resilient, and inclusive city,' he said. Chiew Choon Man flood landslide miri mitigation planning mp
The Star
19-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Sabah govt to rebuild homes for fire victims
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will rebuild about 10 homes destroyed in recent fires at Kampung Petagas and Bukit Vor, near here, under the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor ( pic ), who visited the affected families at the temporary relief centre in Sri Putatan Hall yesterday, said the state would help the fire victims recover and rebuild their lives. 'We understand the hardship these families are facing, having lost everything to the fires. The state government will help rebuild their houses so they can start anew,' he said. The fires, which occurred on Monday and Tuesday, left 74 people from 28 families homeless, of which 20 families (46 individuals) are from Kampung Petagas and eight families (28 individuals) are from Bukit Vor. To further aid the families, Hajiji said each head of household received various forms of assistance, including RM1,000 in Bantuan Wang Ihsan, RM1,000 from the Sabah Welfare Foundation and RM1,000 from the Sabah Zakat Centre under the Islamic Religious Council. The victims also received food baskets and RM300 from Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah. 'For houses that were completely destroyed, the government will rebuild them on the existing sites through Rumah Mesra SMJ. 'For partially damaged houses, the government will provide between RM5,000 and RM10,000 in aid depending on the extent of damage,' he added. Hajiji said the state government remained deeply concerned about the people's welfare. Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister and State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif; state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong; Petagas assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari; secretary for Home Affairs and Research Datuk Awang Shahminan Sahari and Putatan district officer Masawi Salleh.
The Star
18-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Govt to rebuild homes for Petagas and Bukit Vor fire victims
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will rebuild around 10 homes destroyed in recent fires at Kampung Petagas and Bukit Vor under the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor visited the affected families at the temporary relief centre at Sri Putatan Hall on Wednesday (June 18). He said the state is committed to helping the victims recover and rebuild their lives. 'We understand the hardship these families are facing, having lost everything to the fires. The state government will help rebuild their houses so they can start anew,' he said. The fires, which occurred on June 16 and 17, left 74 people from 28 families homeless, including 20 families (46 individuals) in Kampung Petagas, and eight families (28 individuals) in Bukit Vor. Hajiji added that to ease the burden of the victims, each head of household has received various forms of assistance, including RM1,000 in Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI), RM1,000 from the Sabah Welfare Foundation (YKS), and RM1,000 from the Sabah Zakat Centre under the Islamic Religious Council (MUIS). Fire victims also received food baskets and RM300 from Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah. 'For houses that were completely destroyed, the government will rebuild them on the existing sites through Rumah Mesra SMJ. 'For partially damaged houses, the government will assist with cash aid between RM5,000 and RM10,000, depending on the extent of damage,' he said. Hajiji stated that the state government remains deeply concerned about the people's welfare and will continue to ensure that no one is left behind during difficult times. 'As a caring government, we are committed to looking after the welfare of the people, especially during times of hardship,' he said. Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister and State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, and State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong. Petagas assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari, Secretary for Home Affairs and Research Datuk Awang Shahminan Sahari, and Putatan district officer Masawi Salleh were also present.
