Kota Kinabalu: The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) have decided to distribute the Bantuan Wang Ihsan (Compassionate Aid) for flood victims via Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) starting this year, as announced by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that this marks a shift from the previous method of distributing aid through District Offices and the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK). Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, explained that the Bantuan Wang Ihsan was previously handed over to state governments for distribution to flood victims housed in temporary relief centres (PPS). However, he noted that some victims did not stay at these centres.

"Therefore, starting this year, NADMA and MOF have changed the distribution method to no longer follow the conventional system. We have held discussions to ensure that the list of relocated flood victims receives the Bantuan Wang Ihsan through BSN," he said, adding that victims can now claim the aid directly from BSN.

Ahmad Zahid was speaking to reporters after visiting the Kota Kinabalu Lido Flood Mitigation Project, where he was accompanied by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, also the Penampang Member of Parliament.

Addressing specific regional concerns, Ahmad Zahid mentioned that the governments of Sabah and Sarawak requested the channeling of Bantuan Wang Ihsan to flood victims who did not relocate to PPS, which would necessitate verifying their status as flood victims.

"In this matter, we have undertaken governance measures to confirm that they are indeed affected by floods. We will obtain verification from the District Disaster Committee before implementing this policy adjustment," Ahmad Zahid elaborated.

He also highlighted the impact of the recent Northeast Monsoon, which concluded with floods in Sabah and Sarawak, resulting in approximately 223,000 cumulative flood victims being evacuated. Ahmad Zahid noted that sufficient PPS facilities were provided to accommodate around 2.1 million flood victims, extending gratitude to all parties involved in disaster assistance efforts.