PUTRAJAYA, Jan 8 — The cost incurred in the restoration of flood-hit premises and infrastructure under the rural and regional development ministry has been estimated to exceed RM200 million, said minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Of the figure, he said some RM80 million would be needed to rebuild two bridges in Gua Musang, Kelantan which were severely damaged, while the cost to repair the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) premises was estimated at RM35 million.

At a press conference after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly here today, Apdal said the estimated cost also included the provision of public facilities.

They include community halls, rural link roads and agency offices under the ministry, as well as for damages to agriculture and small farms.

“It is a huge role for the ministry as most of the places affected by the floods are rural areas involving the Federal Land Development Authority settlers, entrepreneurs and the orang asli,” he said, adding that the ministry had also contributed more than RM6 million in aid for flood victims in affected states. — Bernama