THE government will provide aid for the families of those who died in the Batang Kali landslide, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this evening.

He said RM10,000 will be paid for each victim, while survivors will receive RM1,000 each, paid to the head of the household, following a briefing at the scene.

He said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will channel the aid through the Selangor state secretary and chairman of the state disaster relief committee.

Anwar expressed his appreciation to rescue workers involved in the operation to hunt for survivors.

Earlier this evening, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the death toll from the Batang Kali landslide stood at 21.

He said rescuers are now looking for 12 people still missing and hoped that they were safe.

Based on the campsite owner’s records, there were 94 people staying at the site.

So far, the authorities have rescued 54 people, with seven requiring treatment at hospitals.

“We will monitor the situation from time to time and will update the media and the public on developments,” Zahid said, after a visit to the scene and a briefing on the incident. – December 16, 2022.