PM: We will help Kelantan flood victims

KUALA KRAI: The Federal Government is willing to make changes to its policy to assist the people in Kelantan who had been in plight following the floods there in 2014, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said although Kelantan was governed by the opposition, the federal government was prepared to build permanent houses costing RM65,000 each for flood victims who lost their homes in the aftermath.
Speaking at the handing over of house keys to the victims at Tapak Maju Ternak, Kampung Staponal, Batu Jong here today, Najib noted that land for such housing was an issue; in this regard, the government would acquire land from individuals and the private sector.
Also present at the function were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed who is also Kelantan BN chief, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub and Kuala Krai Umno division chief Datuk Ramzi Abdul Rahman.
The federal government was entrusted to build 1,804 houses, of which 844 had been completed while 243 are still under construction.
The prime minister said the government was giving its full commitment to complete the remaining units before the end of the year.
"The delay in completing the permanent houses for the flood victims is due to problems in getting land for the site forcing the government to acquire from individual and private landowners," he said.
Najib said allegations by certain quarters that the BN government treated Kelantan like a stepchild was false as various assistance had been channeled to the state.
Thirty-one families received their house keys at the presentation today.
Meanwhile, Mazuin Mohd Zin, 31, said she and her husband, and their four children had been waiting to move into a new home for a long time since the floods in 2014.
"Thank you to the Prime Minister for presenting the house keys to us today. We are very happy that we finally get our wish," she said.
Rokiah Yaakob, 63, also expressed her gratitude to the prime minister and other parties for all the aid rendered to her family.
"We had been living in a camp and later in a container but I am so happy to finally get a permanent house," she said. — Bernama — Bernama