OFFICIAL PORTAL
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has called on more companies to offer support to victims of last week's gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, which destroyed or damaged more than 200 homes.
The Prime Minister's political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin said additional contributions from the private sector would help ease the burden on affected families, many of whom are still displaced.
He noted that RM1.4mil in aid had already been distributed, including emergency funds from the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department as well as initial contributions from PETRONAS.
"Of the 219 families who received the aid, those whose homes were destroyed were given RM5,000, while families with partially damaged homes received RM2,500," he told reporters after distributing the initial assistance to victims at the Bukit Lanchong Community Hall here Monday (April 7).
Earlier in his speech, Azman said the assistance was promised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week.
"We know residents are anxious about returning home and being compensated, but rest assured, the government and Petronas are actively working on solutions," he added.
One recipient, A. Puspagaran, said the support, though modest, offered some relief.
"I've lived in my house for 13 years and lost everything," said the bank automation executive, who is now staying with his in-laws.
"It's a total loss, but this shows the government cares. I just hope the rebuilding can begin soon," he said.
The explosion last Tuesday (April 1) morning sent flames more than 30m into the air and temperatures soared to 1,000°. It took nearly eight hours to bring the blaze under control.
A total of 81 homes were destroyed, another 81 were partially damaged, while 57 homes were affected but not burned. The remaining 218 homes in the area were unscathed. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent gas pipeline explosion and fire in Putra Heights has severely impacted the property market in the area.
Property expert Professor Dr Noor Rosly Hanif said nearly 250 homes were destroyed, which is expected to cause a significant decline in property values near the explosion's epicentre.
The Universiti Teknologi Sarawak Faculty of Property Construction and Management lecturer estimated that property prices in the area could drop by up to 20 per cent, depending on how close they are to the blast site.
"Properties situated closest to the gas pipeline are at risk of losing up to 20 per cent of their value, while other parts of Putra Heights may see a decrease of around five per cent," he said.
Noor Rosly said the most severe drop in value is expected at "ground zero", where the explosion and fire caused extensive structural damage.
"Property values may be reduced to little more than the land price, as many buildings have been almost entirely destroyed due to severe structural damage and extreme heat.
"All utility lines are damaged and need to be replaced, and the homes themselves must be demolished and rebuilt, as the existing structures can no longer be deemed safe.
"Rebuilding a home to its original standard is projected to cost approximately RM300,000 per unit," he said.
To make matters worse, said Noor Rosly, families displaced by the explosion will have to rent alternative accommodation while waiting for their homes to be rebuilt.
"For each family, the cost of renting a fully furnished home is around RM3,000 per month. If they need to rent for two years, including deposits and other associated costs, that's an additional RM100,000 burden per family," he said.
On April 1, a massive fire broke out at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, causing widespread panic as flames shot up into the air.
A total of 227 houses and 365 vehicles were damaged in residential areas near the pipeline.
Putra Heights inferno: Police investigating possibility of criminal negligence, says IGP
- Admin UKK
- Berita
SUBANG JAYA: Criminal negligence is among the aspects police will look at as part of the investigation into the gas pipe explosion in Putra Heights, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
"High water pressure or other factors could be the cause. "The rest will be shared by Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan or the police district chief.
"This includes how many are still in hospital and losses sustained. "Our forensics team will also determine and monitor the safety level at ground zero. We do not want additional injuries," he told reporters at the site of the incident on Monday (April 7).
Putra Heights inferno: Gas supply curtailment expected to be widened, says Gas Malaysia
- Admin UKK
- Berita
PETALING JAYA: Gas supply curtailment following the gas pipe explosion in Puta Heights is expected to be widened to additional areas, says Gas Malaysia Bhd.
In a statement Monday (April 7), Gas Malaysia said that additional areas such as Merbau, Tronoh, Perai, Junjung and Hutan Melintang were now affected as well.
"While the previously announced curtailment period remains unchanged and is still expected to continue until April 20, Gas Malaysia has been informed that new areas and additional new customers will be affected due to operational limitations stemming from the incident," it said.
In view of this new development, the group has intensified its coordination efforts with both the impacted customers and the gas supplier, working closely to manage the situation effectively.
Gas Malaysia said it remained committed to providing support and timely updates to all parties experiencing service disruption.
"Mitigating customer impact, ensuring public safety and upholding service integrity remain Gas Malaysia’s key priorities throughout this period," it said.
Previously, Gas Malaysiaimplemented a gas supply curtailment in several areas following the recent gas pipeline explosion that led to the temporary closure of nearby gas facilities.
The affected areas previously listed included Shah Alam, Kundang, Petaling Jaya, Teluk Panglima Garang, Pelabuhan Klang, Pulau Indah and surrounding locations.
Shah Alam: Menteri Besar Selangor Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari mendedahkan nilai kerosakan rumah yang terjejas dalam insiden letupan paip gas di Putra Heights berjumlah RM65.4 juta.
Menurutnya, perkara itu dimaklumkan oleh pihak Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) yang membuat cerapan awal nilai kerugian akibat kerosakan bagi rumah sahaja dalam mesyuarat pagi hari ini.
"Daripada pengamatan pihak bomba, kita dapati kos kerosakan, kerugian yang terkesan di unit rumah ini adalah sebanyak RM65.4 juta termasuk kos untuk pendawaian elektrik.
"Dengan tindakan pantas oleh pihak bomba juga pasukan keselamatan kita, serta usaha penduduk-penduduk, kita dalam menyelamatkan sebanyak RM285.9 juta.
"Penilaian kerosakan kepada infrastruktur awam dan kawasan berdekatan sedang berjalan," katanya dalam sidang media di Wisma Dewan Annexe di sini, hari ini.
Amirudin berkata, sebanyak 151 rumah disahkan selamat sehingga semalam dan pemilik rumah ini dibenarkan pulang ke rumah masing-masing.
"Pasukan sukarelawan seperti Sukarelawan Selangor (SERVE) dan Team Selangor sudah turun ke rumah-rumah ini untuk membantu proses pembersihan dengan kebenaran pemilik rumah agar mereka dapat mula kembali ke kehidupan harian dengan lebih pantas," katanya.
Dalam pada itu katanya, seramai 28 pelajar yang berada di PPS diberikan pengangkutan secara percuma dari PPS ke sembilan sekolah dengan kerjasama kenderaan Prasarana Sdn Bhd serta diselaraskan oleh Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan, Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor serta pasukan sukarelawan pada hari ini.
"Selain itu, pihak Menteri Besar Selangor (Pemerbadanan) akan memberikan bantuan sebanyak RM500 kepada 265 pelajar bagi membolehkan mereka membeli keperluan asas yang musnah akibat kebakaran.
"Pihak Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri juga akan memulakan usaha sokongan moral seperti kaunseling khusus kepada pelajar terkesan trauma akibat mengharungi tragedi kejadian kebakaran tempoh hari.
"Kerajaan negeri melalui Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri juga akan menghantar guru ke PPS bagi membantu pelajar meneruskan sesi pembelajaran," katanya.