PEKAN: The government has completed the disbursement of RM58.7 million in financial aid to victims of the devastating floods which affected seven states at the end of last year.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the disbursement had taken time because the government had to verify the eligibility of recipients.

"We had to ascertain the identity of the aid recipients from sources such as the penghulu," he said after handing out assistance to 1,224 flood victims here yesterday.

More than RM3.4 million was distributed to 3,834 flood victims in the district.

Earlier in his speech, Najib, who is the Pekan MP, apologised to the flood victims on the time taken to disburse the financial aid.
He said the government had taken care of the needs of the people during the good times and bad.

As such, he called upon the people to continue supporting the Barisan Nasional.

A total of RM863,200 was disbursed yesterday. It saw 1,208 people receiving RM700 each, while another 16 victims received RM1,100 each.

Before the function, Najib was given a surprise when pulut kuning was wheeled out in an impromptu celebration of his birthday.

The deputy prime minister, who was born on July 23, 1953 in Kuala Lipis, turned 55 on Wednesday.