The government has called on more companies to offer support to the victims of last week’s gas pipeline explosion at Putra Heights, which destroyed or damaged more than 200 homes.

Azman Abidin, political secretary to the prime minister, said additional contributions from the private sector would help ease the burden on the affected families, many of whom are still displaced.

He acknowledged that RM1.4 million in aid had already been distributed, including emergency funds from the Prime Minister’s Department as well as initial contributions from Petronas.

“We know residents are anxious about returning home and being compensated, but rest assured, the government and Petronas are actively working on solutions,” he told reporters after distributing aid to victims at the Bukit Lanchong community hall here today.

One recipient, A Puspagaran, said the support, though modest, offered some relief. “I’ve lived there for 13 years and (have now) lost everything,” said the bank automation executive who is staying with his in-laws.

“It’s a total loss, but this shows the government cares. I just hope the rebuilding can begin soon.”

The explosion last Tuesday sent flames more than 30m into the air while temperatures soared to 1,000 degrees Celsius. It took nearly eight hours to bring the blaze under control.

Gas Malaysia Bhd has widened its gas supply curtailment because of operational limitations caused by last week’s pipeline explosion at Putra Heights. The utility group said the newly affected areas are Merbau, Tronoh, Perai, Junjung and Hutan Melintang.

“While the previously announced curtailment period remains unchanged and is still expected to continue until April 20, Gas Malaysia has been informed the new areas and additional new customers will be affected due to operational limitations stemming from the incident,” Bernama quoted Gas Malaysia as saying in a statement today.

It said it is working closely with the affected customers and its gas suppliers to manage the situation, adding that support and regular updates will be provided throughout the disruption period.

“Mitigating customer impact, ensuring public safety, and upholding service integrity remain Gas Malaysia’s key priorities throughout this period.

“Gas Malaysia appreciates the continued understanding and cooperation of all its customers and stakeholders, as the group navigates these temporary challenges,” it said.

Updates will be made available via Gas Malaysia’s official website www.gasmalaysia.com.

Gas Malaysia had earlier announced supply cuts in Shah Alam, Kundang, Petaling Jaya, Teluk Panglima Garang, Port Klang, Pulau Indah and its surrounding areas following the gas pipeline explosion that led to the temporary shutdown of nearby facilities.

The Petronas gas pipeline fire, which broke out at 8.10am last Tuesday, sent flames more than 30m high into the air and reached temperatures of 1,000 degree Celsius. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to extinguish the blaze.

A total of 219 homes were damaged in the blast, while another 220 were inspected and declared safe.

KUALA LUMPUR – Gempa bumi sederhana dilaporkan berlaku di bahagian utara Sumatera, Indonesia pukul 3.49 pagi tadi.

Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MetMalaysia) memaklumkan, gempa bumi itu direkodkan pada ukuran 5.6 magnitud.

Katanya, ia berpusat pada koordinat 2.0° Utara dan 96.7° Timur, iaitu sekitar 125 kilometer ke tenggara Simeulue, Indonesia.

“Kedalaman gempa dianggarkan sekitar 32 kilometer di bawah permukaan bumi.

Sehubungan itu, orang ramai dinasihatkan agar sentiasa merujuk maklumat sahih daripada MetMalaysia melalui saluran rasmi seperti laman sesawang mygempa.met.gov.my, media sosial rasmi MetMalaysia serta aplikasi mudah alih MyCuaca. – MalaysiaGazette

JAKARTA: A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's western Aceh province early Tuesday (April 8) without triggering large waves, according to the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency.

Initially, the agency reported the quake's magnitude as 6.2 before revising it downward.

No tsunami warning was issued, as the quake was unlikely to generate large waves.

"No serious damage or casualties were reported in the tremor-hit areas, especially in Simeulue Regency, which was affected the most," Zopan A, a senior official from the provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, told Xinhua.

Indonesia, an archipelagic nation, is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. The country also has 127 active volcanoes and frequent tectonic activity. - Xinhua