NAJIB: HELP FOR AFFECTED SARAWAKIANS IN MINI BUDGET

KUCHING (Malaysia), Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The mini budget, which is scheduled
to be tabled by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Tun Razak
at the Lower House of Parliament on March 10, will among others include aid and
financial assistance to East Malaysia state of Sarawak, parts of which were hit
by severe floods and landslides recently.

"The federal government will offer assistance to those affected by the
recent floods. We have made that commitment. Those who have been housed at flood
relief centres would receive RM300 (US$1=RM3.60) while those who did not stay at
flood relief centres and stayed at houses of relatives would also receive RM300.

"We would disburse the funds once the list of recepients is furnished to
us. As for farmers, who had their yeilds wiped out by the floods, would also
receive aid. The rate would be decided by the state government," Najib said
Thursday.

Najib, who is on a three-day working visit to the state, said the Sarawak
government had also been asked to evaluate the damage to infrastructure and
public amenities.

"We want the state government's evaluation done by end of the month so that
I could include it in the mini-budget that would tabled on March 10," he said.

The mini budget is being tabled to soften the impact of the global economic
crisis. Last year, Najib had tabled a RM7 billion economic stimulus package.

-- BERNAMA