‘No updates till now’

RESIDENTS affected by the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya in Selangor, are asking for updates on the RM2,000 monthly rental aid promised by the state government.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had announced that victims would get RM2,000 monthly, for up to six months, to cover rent for temporary housing.

He said this involved funds amounting to RM7.36mil for 613 households; the list of recipients and mechanisms for aid disbursement were supposed to be announced within the second week of April.

A total of 365 vehicles were damaged in the explosion. — Filepic

Mudzaffar Ismail, 33, said affected residents like him were still awaiting further details about the aid.

“We were told that there would be updates last week but there have been none till now.

“We don’t know where to apply and when to expect payments,” he said, adding that he and his wife had relocated to his parents’ home in Sungai Buloh.

Mudzaffar said the one-off cash assistance from PETRONAS and Selangor government, though helpful, was insufficient to cover rentals and other costs.

PETRONAS had disbursed RM5,000 to homeowners whose homes were completely destroyed; while homeowners whose properties were partially damaged and those who were renters received RM2,500 each.

Similarly, the Federal Government gave RM5,000 to homeowners whose homes were completely destroyed; those whose properties were partially damaged and those who were renters received RM2,500 each.

Another resident, Fazli Shukor said his family had moved back to their home in Putra Heights and was currently occupying the ground floor.

The father-of-four said he has engaged a contractor and that work would commence soon to repair the damaged roof and ceiling on the first floor.

“We welcome the RM2,000 monthly rental aid and hope payments can be expedited as we could really use the extra cash,” said Fazli, 49.

“My wife and I are not taking the temporary housing option in Sepang offered under the Selangor Smart Sewa scheme, as the location is too far from our children’s schools,” he added.

State housing and culture committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah had announced that residents were offered temporary housing in Kota Warisan, Sepang, with rent set at RM850 a month.

Affected homeowner Wong Luh Yin said many residents were having trouble finding temporary housing.

“Most landlords refuse to offer short-term rentals and require a minimum of a one-year stay, alongside hefty deposits,” she said, adding that the temporary housing in Kota Warisan was impractical due to distance from work and schools, besides being unfurnished.

Apart from calling for the authorities to furnish more information about the RM2,000 monthly rental aid, Wong said efforts should be intensified to alleviate residents’ burden, such as offering income tax relief to cushion the financial blow.

The explosion on April 1 destroyed 81 houses, leaving another 81 partially destroyed and 57 affected but not suffering any structural impact.

A total of 365 vehicles were also damaged, including 275 cars and 56 motorcycles

On April 18, Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan was reported as saying that the preliminary report on the incident would be released in a week.

He said the investigation, which included forensic studies at the site, would look into negligence and mischief as possible causes.

StarMetro reached out to the relevant state authorities for comments but has yet to receive a response as at press time.