PERAK GOV'T TO PROVIDE AID TO STORM VICTIMS IN TAIPING

IPOH, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The Perak state government is considering appropriate assistance for victims affected by a storm that struck Taiping yesterday and the district officer of Larut, Matang and Selama has been told to conduct the extent of the damage and types of aid required.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the officer, who is also the district disaster relief committee chairman, would be required to submit proposals on contributions or any financial assistance needed.

“However, the aid will take time because an evaluation of the damage and the method of assistance to be implemented must be carried out as it involves state government financial allocations,” he told reporters after launching the Perak Students’ Self-Sustenance and Emergency Assistance as well as the 2026 Student Book Voucher Assistance initiatives, at his office here today.

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Yesterday’s storm caused several types of damage, including houses struck by fallen trees, roofs blown off by strong winds, collapsed business premises roofs and damage to Ramadan bazaar tents, as well as forcing 22 families to be placed at a temporary evacuation centre.

In another development, Saarani said RM4 million has been allocated for the Students’ Self-Sustenance Assistance and Student Emergency Assistance initiative to help Perak students pursuing Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy studies.

He said the Self-Sustenance Assistance is provided according to level of study, namely RM500 for Diploma students, RM700 for Bachelor’s degree students, RM800 for Master’s students and RM1,000 for Doctor of Philosophy students.

“In addition to the Self-Sustenance Assistance, the state government also provides Student Emergency Assistance to help students facing unforeseen situations such as accidents, serious health problems, theft or other misfortunes.

“This assistance is given based on the merits of each case with a maximum rate of up to RM5,000 and subject to the approval committee’s consideration,” he said.

Saarani said the state government has also allocated RM750,000 for Book Voucher Assistance, which will benefit 5,000 students with a value of RM150 each to help ease the cost of purchasing reference materials and study books.

-- BERNAMA