TEMERLOH: The Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) will provide free replacement of marriage, divorce and reconciliation certificates belonging to flood victims, involving an allocation of RM200,000, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He estimated that about 10,000 Muslim families might have lost their important documents including their marriage certificates in the floods that hit Pahang on Dec 17.

He said those affected could submit replacement applications at 14 district religious offices without having to make an appointment beginning on Monday (Jan 3), adding that the initiative would run for two months.

"Normally, RM20 will be charged for search and copy of each document, but this time it is free to ease the burden of flood victims as these documents are important for their future affairs," he said.

The free replacement is expected to involve a total of 8,000 marriage certificates, 1,500 divorce certificates and 500 reconciliation certificates, he added.

Wan Rosdy said this when met at the handing over ceremony of RM250,000 aid for flood victims by FGV Holdings Bhd which was presented by its Group Chief Executive Officer Mohd Nazrul Izam Mansur at the Temerloh District and Land Office, here today.

Felda chairman Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who was also present said the contribution was part of Felda's efforts to help the state government to carry out post-flood cleaning works.

In another development, Wan Rosdy hoped the people would wait for a report from the Pahang Forestry Department regarding the presence of wood debris in Sungai Telemong in Bentong alleged to be the cause of flooding in the area on Dec 18 that killed five people.

"Let the Pahang Forestry Department carry out further investigations because we have instructed them to investigate the matter in detail...there are so many assumptions, let's wait for the report," he said.

In the incident, 10 people were rescued and another is still missing.

-- BERNAMA