KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has urged the federal government to allocate more funding to Sarawak and Sabah to address the damage caused by the recent floods.
He said while he welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for an immediate aid of RM25 million to Sarawak and Sabah, such funds are inadequate given the scale of damage to public and private infrastructures and even personal losses suffered by the victims.
“For instance, some victims have reported losses exceeding RM50,000 per household,” he said.
To bolster his argument for more funds, he pointed out that in December 2024, the federal government had allocated RM50 million in total, with RM25 million designated for Kedah and Terengganu respectively.
“Based on that precedent set, I urge the government to revise the sum allocated and increase these allocations to at least RM50 million for Sarawak and Sabah to address the damage and loss by one of the worst floods we have seen especially here in Sarawak,” he said in a statement.
He also hoped the government will ensure the distribution process of aid is done efficiently without any bureaucratic or even political hindrance.
“Some of the conditions set, including requiring victims to relocate to temporary relief centres (PPS), are problematic.
“Many victims refuse to leave their homes due to fears of burglary, thereby may disqualify them from receiving aid.
“This policy must be revised to ensure aid reaches all affected individuals, taking into context their concerns and conditions,” he added.
He said victims should not be forced to navigate complex procedures instead of focusing on recovery.
Dr Yii said the recent floods in Sarawak highlight the urgent need for better flood management.
He said proactive measures are critical to prevent recurring disasters and to protect the people from being affected by floods.
In this context he said the government must also expedite the Kuching Flood Mitigation Plan (PLSB) Project that has been long delayed.
“The delayed implementation of the project must be prioritised.
“Further delays will exacerbate vulnerabilities. We demand accelerated action to complete this project, as long-term resilience and future flood prevention depend on its timely execution,” he said.
