Malaysia calls for more funds to assist flood-affected traders

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Thursday called on agencies of the country to identify existing funds to assist entrepreneurs, especially small traders, affected by the recent floods.

He told reporters after launching the New Village Comprehensive Development Master Plan in Kuala Lumpur that a large number of small traders, such as retailers and stall operators, were affected by the devastating floods in the east coast states.

Muhyiddin, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee, said, "This is considered critical because if we don't help them they won't have an income, so something must be done immediately to help them get back on their feet."

"I will call a meeting regarding these matters next week with state representatives from the flooded areas," he said.

For the purpose of giving aid, the deputy prime minister also urged flood victims whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the disaster, to register with the state disaster committee for repairs to be carried out quickly.

The government will give between 5,000 ringgit and 10,000 ringgit (about 1,400-2,800 U.S. dollars) to owners of homes which were not totally destroyed, he said.

The floods that ravaged several east coast states in the country last month resulted in the relocation of over 200,000 people and damaged roads, railways, schools and tens of thousands of houses.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has promised the government is committed to assisting those affected by the floods and helping them rebuild their lives. Endi