Floods: Assessment of damaged houses to be conducted thoroughly, says Zahid

• "Although the situation is improving, and many victims have returned to their homes, we are in the post-flood phase, where we will focus on cleaning and repairing the affected houses.”

PITAS (Jan 30): The assessment of house damage for the purpose of providing assistance to flood victims will be conducted thoroughly with priority given to badly affected houses, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said the ministry together with the district offices will work together to assess the damage caused by the floods.

"After we have assessed the damage, the ministry will disburse the allocation to repair the houses. Our allocation is limited, and we need to be prudent by giving priority to badly affected houses," he said.

He told reporters this after handing over contributions to 968 families at the flood relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pitas here on Monday (Jan 30).

Zahid said the ministry is also assessing the damage to roads affected by floods in the country.

"As such, I request the cooperation of the state-elected representatives, Members of Parliament, district offices and state governments, so that this can be implemented smoothly," he said.

Commenting on his visit to Pitas, Zahid said it was to survey the areas affected by the floods in Sabah.

"Although the situation is improving, and many victims have returned to their homes, we are in the post-flood phase, where we will focus on cleaning and repairing the affected houses,” he added.