PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim tonight announced an additional allocation of RM50 million for the Terengganu government to assist those affected by last December’s floods. 

The finance minister said the amount was in addition to the RM50 million relief announced in December last year.

“The initial allocation has been approved but considering the current situation, I have no problem approving the allocation to Terengganu.

“For tonight, we are announcing an additional RM50 million to help flood victims,” he said when speaking at the Malaysia Madani Open House at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Terengganu tonight.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub as well as Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

During his visit to flood-hit areas in Kelantan on December 21, Anwar announced an immediate flood allocation of RM50 million to Kelantan and Terengganu.

The prime minister said he had received information that the initial allocation for flood victims in Terengganu had been delayed, and subsequently asked the Treasury secretary-general to check on the matter.

In the meantime, Anwar said the unity government was open and agreed with Samsuri’s suggestion the state and federal governments must maintain good relations. 

“That is why I take an open attitude that the relationship between the state and federal government must be always good and state concerns and views are taken into account,” he said.

Earlier Samsuri, in his speech, expressed hope the relationship between the state and federal government can improve, allowing more non-partisan and bipartisan initiatives to be introduced – as is done in developed countries – for the good of the people.

He said strained state-federal ties can lead to uneasiness among the people, who want solutions to dire issues faced. 

In this regard, the menteri besar hoped that all plans, development and special distribution of allocations received each year by the state government will continue as scheduled based on Budget 2023 tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in February. – Bernama, May 13, 2023.