IPOH, June 9 — The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) will provide an initial aid of RM2,000 and disaster relief of RM1,000 to the families of victims involved in the tragic bus accident that claimed 15 lives at KM53, East-West Highway (JRTB) near Gerik early this morning.
Its minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said the initial aid is to ease the burden of the families, including funeral arrangements for the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who died in the incident.
“UPSI has announced immediate assistance, including RM2,000 from KPT for each victim’s family to manage funeral arrangements, while UPSI will provide RM1,000.
“Additional support, including funeral assistance, insurance coverage, zakat aid, accident relief and accommodation for families, has also been arranged,” he said during a press conference at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) today.
Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and UPSI vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Md Amin Md Taff.
Zambry added that UPSI will coordinate all assistance efforts.
The MOHE, the Education Ministry (MOE), and the Health Ministry (MOH) are also in communication to ensure swift action could be taken to assist the victims and their families.
“At this stage, all basic needs, particularly related to the management of the remains, have been arranged, including the provision of hearses to transport the bodies to their respective destinations.
“Other forms of assistance include ensuring that affected family members in this area (HRPB) and the Gerik Hospital are taken care of, including providing them with the necessary support,” he said.
Zambry said that 13 bodies had arrived at HRPB’s forensic department for post-mortems, while the remaining two were at the Gerik Hospital.
Meanwhile, the minister has contacted Transport Minister Anthony Loke regarding the possibility of launching an investigation into the incident, and also advised the public not to speculate.
Elsewhere, the Perak government has announced an initial aid contribution of RM1,000 for each of the next of kin of the victims involved in the accident.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the contribution is intended to ease the burden of the victims' families who have had to travel to the state to identify and claim the bodies.
“We understand that not all of them come from well-off families. At the very least, this assistance allows them to find a place to stay if needed and have some money for other expenses,” he told the press at HRPB’s Forensic Department.
The state government is also prepared to assist in other matters to ease the families' efforts in handling funeral arrangements, including providing tents for shelter and food.
“The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has contributed tents so the public can find shelter, and packed meals are also being provided to the victims’ families and forensic officers who have been working tirelessly from morning till night,” Saarani said.
— Bernama
