PETALING JAYA: Flood victims are desperate to regain some semblance of normalcy of their lives however purple tape in applying for aid has dampened their spirits.
Panir Selvam, whose home in Taman Sri Muda, Section 25, Shah Alam, was submerged in floodwater through the deluge final month, expressed his frustration in getting the mandatory aid from the federal government.
The chef stated his utility was rejected as the home possession title and the title on the electrical energy invoice differed.
“We are required to submit the electricity bill. But as the bill does not bear the same name as the property’s, as the house is still under my late father’s name, they rejected my claim,” the 65-year-old stated in an interview yesterday.
Panir, who has a son and daughter aged 35 and 34 respectively, stated he did not execute the change of title for the home because the switch of possession was not a easy course of however concerned a lot administrative work.
He additionally claimed that those that had sought shelter on the aid centres through the floods received their aid however those that determined to remain behind at their very own houses had not acquired theirs.
“Those who took shelter at the centres have been able to get the necessary aid but for us, we have to apply for it. We have to submit so many documents and one of them is the electricity bill.
“My family and I have been living here for so many years and paying our electricity bill. What more do they want to know about us?” he requested.
Klang MP Charles Santiago, when contacted, stated the simplest aid purposes have been those the place the authorities knew that a whole space had been underwater through the latest floods.
“The Selangor government has taken this approach where they know the areas where the floods were, and how many houses were involved. Those that are in these areas do not have to worry,” he stated.
But he famous that questions arose in circumstances the place individuals have been renting the property or residing in homes not beneath their names.
“The best way to approach this is if they are in the vicinity and everyone including the local council knows that the area was flooded, then the aid should just be given to them. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to solve this problem,” he stated.
Santiago urged the Land Office, which is answerable for this, to be lenient.
“If the Land Office is not sure, they can call up the applicants for a meeting to get more information.
“Rejecting it outright is not a good idea, especially when you have mass destruction from the floods,” he stated.
A supply from the Selangor Mentri Besar’s workplace clarified that the rationale why the utility payments have been requested was as a result of there had been duplication of claims up to now.
As such, the supply stated, the verification of paperwork was a part of the process.
“The flood victims can submit any utility bill, not just their electricity bill.
“It can be their mobile phone bill, Internet bill or others as long as they can verify that they live at those premises,” the supply added.
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