GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today announced a one-off RM400 payment to building owners or families affected by last Friday's massive flash floods.
In making the announcement, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng stressed that the payment was not a precedent, but a one-off payment following the 'extraordinary downpour' due to the Doksuri Typhoon.
He said each family or building owner can only get the payment once.
"The payment will be made to those who suffered damages to their buildings or cars from the floodwaters.
"The disbursement of payment will be handled by elected representatives, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillors as well as state government's village development and security committee.
"The application forms will be issued next Monday (Sept 25) and will have to be returned within one month before the payment is made," he told a press conference here today.
It was reported that some 100 areas in the state came to a complete standstill after a heavy downpour which brought about massive flash floods in the state.
The DAP-led state government had been called on by various quarters to take responsibility and act swiftly in mitigating the frequent flash flood problems in the state.
Lim, in reiterating that the flash floods on Friday was caused by the typhoon, added that the amount of rain recorded that day was the same as that recorded in a month.
"At the same time, for the first time, the Air Itam Dam water level had increased by 26 per cent in one day, raising the water level by more than 100 per cent.
"The extraordinary downpour also affected other states, which suffered worst than Penang," he said.
Lim said the state government, however, would not find excuses, avoid, hide or run away from its duty and responsibilities in facing the serious flash flood problems.
"The state executive council also accepted state Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow's suggestion to immediately carry out 33 emergency projects to dig and repair damaged drainage in the state at the cost of RM2.5 million.
"The council also approved my instruction to MBPP and developers to repair landslides in Taman Setia Green in Sungai Ara, Green Lane Park Condominium in Solok Tembaga and Kayangan Puri Mutiara Apartment in Medan Fettes, which will cost more than RM2 million," he added.
Lim said the state government had also approved a two-pronged step -- namely to finish and continue with the state government and its agencies' RM405 million flood mitigation projects and to carry out the RM1.4 million flood mitigation projects announced previously.
"It has to be stressed that the heavy downpour was due to the Doksuri Typhoon and that any completed flood mitigation project would not be able to prevent floodings, but could only reduce the negative impact of the floods," he asserted.