Cut red tapes on disaster funds

Daily Express

6 days ago

Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025
By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Dr Yusof noted that Sabah has the financial muscle to implement these changes, pointing to the State's substantial reserves of RM8.6 billion. Kota Kinabalu: Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob wants district offices to have direct access to emergency funds instead of waiting for approval from State headquarters that sometimes arrives over a year too late. 'It is frustrating how disaster victims have to wait months, sometimes over a year, before receiving help,' he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill 2025, Monday. He said under the existing system, when floods damage roads and drains or fires destroy homes, victims must endure lengthy waits while paperwork slowly moves through government channels. 'Experience tells us that in the districts, it is quite slow to provide services to people affected by disasters. They have to wait. 'For example, flood aid. We report it, list the names of disaster victims and it should take only two or three days during the disaster for people to receive help. 'The reality, however, is far different. In many cases, the flood has passed and the dry season comes, then floods return, but aid has not reached the people yet,' he said. He said from his experience, there were those in Sipitang whose houses were damaged by strong winds but they only receive disaster aid after more than a year. 'There is no point in approving aid contributions if the time gap for them to receive it is more than a year. They might even forget sometimes whether the aid exists or not,' he said. He proposed that each district be given at least half a million ringgit in emergency funds that can be used immediately when disasters strike. 'I suggest that special funds for emergency cases should be decided at the District Office level only. Money should be channelled to District Offices as district emergency funds according to the category of districts that frequently experience disasters. 'When accidents, floods or any other disasters happen, the district disaster committee can meet and use the available money to spend immediately. We give the mandate to the District Office,' he said. He said the funding allocation must be strategic, with amounts varying based on each district's disaster risk. 'Priority should be given to districts prone to disasters, such as Beaufort which is faced with floods every year,' he said. He also pointed to areas prone to landslides, such as roads from Keningau to Kota Kinabalu or Ranau to Kota Kinabalu. Dr Yusof noted that Sabah has the financial muscle to implement these changes, pointing to the State's substantial reserves of RM8.6 billion. 'What is the point of keeping that money? Some people also say, why keep so much money when the people are suffering? We should use that money and give it back to the people. 'There is no point in talking about huge funds and reserves, there is nothing to shout about when the people are suffering,' he said. 'This supplementary allocation is legally valid and this need is indeed required in our State,' he said, expressing support for the State's supplementary budget which includes additional allocations for disaster relief and infrastructure repairs. Additionally, he spoke about his constituency's strategic importance and untapped potential, particularly with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year and the impact of the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park project. 'To enter Sabah, you must pass through Sindumin. Neighbouring Labuan, there are boats from Labuan, there are also roads. Sabahans going to Sarawak and Brunei will pass through Sipitang,' he said, noting the area's strategic location. He also proposed preserving the old British District Office building in Pekan Sipitang as a tourist attraction. 'This building can be converted into a Tourist Information Centre. Anyone who has been to Sipitang, there is an ugly building in the middle of Pekan Sipitang. I asked that it be maintained in its original form, to be made into a Tourist Information gallery,' he said. He said Sipitang has tourism potential with 10 Community Based Tourism sites, the popular Meligan Villa Resort and Long Pasia, though local entrepreneurs need government support for infrastructure development like roads, halls and jetties. 'I ask agencies and government departments to implement what has been approved quickly so that people can feel it. It is already July. If possible, what we approve should be spent immediately. 'What is important and certain is that this money is for the people, this is all for the people's welfare,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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