MUAR, Jan 9 — The government will consider fully financing new low-cost houses to replace houses of flood victims who have been damaged in the recent floods in several states.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said for flood victims who have their own land, the government will assist in the construction of the houses onsite.

He said the cost would be fully borne by the government if they were found eligible.

“This is not compensation, this is based on goodwill. Those found eligible by the state-level (flood disaster) committees will be provided for accordingly,” said Muhyiddin, who is also the National Disaster Management Committee chairman.

He told reporters after a “Meet-the-People” programme with the local community at Kampung Jawa Panchor, Pagoh here today.

Earlier, Muhyiddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Pagoh, joined about 200 local residents for Friday prayers at the Jamek Mosque there.

In Kelantan, the houses of 2,660 families were destroyed or damaged in the devastating floods in the east coast states.

The number of houses damaged of destroyed in other flood-hit states is being collated.

Muhyiddin said the government would give priority to flood victims whose houses were completely destroyed to be sheltered at temporary houses to ease their suffering.

He said several formulas were being worked out to ensure flood victims got temporary shelter before the permanent homes were built for them.

“I would like to emphasise the importance of helping them relocate from their damaged houses. Various formulas will be used. We will give priority to those whose houses were completely destroyed,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Flood Management Committees should submit comprehensive data and reports on flood victims as well as the amount of losses by the end of this month.

“I want all committees managing flood aftermath in all states to expedite furnishing their reports especially on those who were made homeless. Our delay in resolving their problems will be a burden to the flood victims,” Muhyiddin said.

He said a meeting would be held next week to discuss and select the models of temporary and permanent houses with the related government agencies.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddn, who is also Education Minister, said the Education Ministry would be spending about RM4 million to replace damaged textbooks.

He said so far, the ministry had assessed losses of school properties and infrastructure to be around RM500 million. — Bernama