PUTRAJAYA: The government has received RM35.8 million in donations from 23 private companies and corporate bodies to assist flood victims.
This is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for private companies to join hands in providing aid to flood victims.
Speaking at the Ihsan Madani Fundraising Event at Kompleks Seri Perdana here today, Anwar announced that all funds donated to the government will be coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM).
"I have asked the ICU to list the infrastructure needs in addition to what the government has allocated," he said.
Donations were received from YTL Corporation Bhd and Yayasan Albukhary, each contributing RM5 million, while Sapura Secured Technologies and U Mobile Sdn Bhd donated RM3 million each.
Mah Sing Group, WCT Bhd, IJM Corporation Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Berjaya Corporation Bhd, and Press Metal Bhd each contributed RM2 million.
Additionally, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Roadcare (M) Sdn Bhd, Sunway Bhd, Malaysia Resources Corporation Bhd, and The Weststar Group each contributed RM1 million.
Fortress Mining Sdn Bhd, Selia Selenggara Selatan Sdn Bhd, Johawaki Holdings Sdn Bhd, and Datuk Lawrence Lim Swee Lin (personal donation) each contributed RM500,000.
Donations were also made by Newsfields Land Sdn Bhd (RM250,000), AHAM Asset Management Bhd (RM250,000), the Association of Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders of Malaysia (PEKEMA) (RM200,000), and YHA Travel & Tours (M) Sdn Bhd (RM100,000).
The Prime Minister said the funds received will be used to repair infrastructure damaged by the floods. This includes repairing school buildings that have been used as temporary evacuation centres (PPS).
Anwar said the donations will also be used to repair school floors and toilets that need maintenance due to flood damage, as well as to cover the costs of food, drinks, and uniforms.
In coordinating the aid, he suggested better coordination between the government and other organisations to ensure that the assistance reaches those who truly need it.
He stressed the importance of using the received aid as effectively as possible.
"I think it is better to channel the aid, not necessarily through government departments, but also through non-governmental organisations that are truly realistic. Our machinery on the ground knows. If we go ourselves, those who have already received aid (previously) will get help again. That is why we need to coordinate more efficiently," he said.