KOTA BAHRU, Jan 18 — The Kelantan Umno will ask for the central government to expedite the construction of permanent houses for victims who lost their homes due to floods in the state last month.

Kelantan Umno Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said a total of 2,010 homes were totally destroyed so far and this figure is expected to increase as a census is still ongoing nationwide.

“I will ask the central government to build the houses as soon as possible as victims have been waiting up to three weeks for a permanent home,” he told reporters after chairing a special meeting by the Kelantan Umno Liaison Body, here last night.

Last Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the cabinet had agreed to build permanent houses worth RM48,000 each for victims whose homes were destroyed.

Muhyiddin was reported saying the government also agreed to provide aid of between RM5,000 and RM10,000 for houses which sustained partial damage.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said victims who previously lived in squatter homes would be provided a new settlement and permanent houses from the state government.

He said the state government will set up clusters of tents as a temporary settlement, equipped with facilities such as dining hall, prayer hall, bathroom as well as water and electricity.

The government also provided transit homes at army and National Service Training Programme (NS) camps for flood evacuees, he said.

At the same time, Mustapa said the government is also extending help to flood victims who have lost their income due to destroyed crops and flooded business premises. — Bernama