KEMAMAN, 29 Nov 2017:
The level of awareness on the Kampungku insurance policy for flood victims – to cover some of their losses – has to be increased and extended throughout the country to ensure more would utilise it when facing the floods.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the insurance was part of preparedness to cater for the needs of flood victims.
“Those who are covered by the policy will get RM1,000 to meet the immediate needs after floods. In addition, they can also benefit if their homes are hit by a storm or fire … they will get RM10,000 if the disaster happens.”
Kampungku insurance policy has been introduced since 2014 where policyholders need to pay only RM74 a year – but for residents in Kemaman, they only need to pay RM50 while the rest was borne by the Kemaman parliamentary office.
He added that policyholders need not wait long to receive their RM1,000 claim.
Separately, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd has approved RM2.2million in interim payments for flood victims in Penang, Kedah and Perak.
The company received 338 claims as a result of the recent floods in the northern region over the last two weeks and has expedited residential and commercial claims approval and these include settling all residential claims that were within RM50,000 on the spot and fast tracking all commercial claims within RM50,000.
“Allianz protects you from A to Z is more than just a tagline, it is a promise to our customers that we are with you 24-7, 365. In saying that, it was important to us that we mitigated the claims situation as quickly through various initiatives to help our customers get back on their feet. This was real life, personalised customer service,” said Jayapragash Amblavanar, head of claims.
During the floods, Allianz mobilised its Claims Caravan to various locations.
Allianz home insurance policyholders whose homes were affected by the flood were able to come and file their claims, and an adjuster would be assigned to survey the said property within 24 hours. Eligible motor insurance policyholders will also be able to lodge their claims at the caravan.
The number of flood victims in Terengganu has increased to 2,432 from 833 families as of 8am today, compared to 2,201 people from 765 families at midnight.
The State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat said 15 relief centres were opened in seven districts, taking the total number of relief centres opened in the state to 64.
In Besut district, the number of victims rose to 842 from 250 families in 23 relief centres, compared to 637 people from 194 families last night.
Hulu Terengganu district did not see much change as only one new victim was recorded, taking the total to 792 victims (from 365 families) in 18 relief centres.
Setiu district saw a slight decrease with 378 victims (104 families) in 10 relief centres compared to 411 victims (105 families), while in Dungun, the number remained at 165 victims (48 families) in four relief centres.
The flood situation in Marang and Kuala Nerus districts remained unchanged with 71 victims (22 families) at six relief centres in Marang, and 126 victims (32 families) at two relief centres in Kuala Nerus.
In Kuala Terengganu, the latest district to be hit, 59 victims (13 families) were placed at one relief centre compared to 63 victims (14 families) last night.
Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) reported that no rivers in Terengganu were above the danger level as of 8.30am this morning.
The number of flood victims in Kelantan continues to rise as of 8am today, with 6,961 victims placed at relief centres compared to 5,016 victims at 9pm last night
Tumpat was the latest district to be hit as 28 victims from six families were evacuated to a relief centre (PPS) this morning.
So far, 90 relief centres have been opened in nine districts, namely Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Bachok, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Machang dan Jeli.
The Social Welfare Department’s ‘infobanjir’ application said Pasir Mas had the highest number of victims with 2,963 from 1,145 families at 34 relief centres, followed by Kota Bharu with 1,261 victims from 310 families at 11 relief centres.
In Machang, 685 victims from 212 families remained at seven relief centres, while 589 victims from 185 families were at six relief centres in Pasir Puteh.
In Tanah Merah, 560 victims from 149 families were evacuated to 17 relief centres, while in Jeli, 345 victims from 95 families were placed in three relief centres.
A total of 304 victims from 73 families were evacuated to two relief centres in Bachok, while in Kuala Krai, 226 victims from 55 families were placed at nine relief centres.
The DID flood information portal said the water level at Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas had risen to 10.56m at 8am today, compared to 10.44m at 9 last night. The danger level is 9m.
Scattered thunderstorms were reported to have occurred in several areas in Kelantan last night.
– Bernama