Some house owners affected by Selangor gas pipeline explosion still waiting for aid

SUBANG JAYA - It has been almost two months since a

gas pipeline explosion rocked Putra Heights

in Subang Jaya, Selangor, but several affected residents are still waiting for aid that was promised to them.

This includes RM2,000 (S$607) a month from the Selangor government to cover rental costs for up to six months, RM500 in schooling aid from the Education Ministry, and access to a car for personal use.

The April 1 explosion destroyed 81 homes, badly damaged 57 and partially damaged 81.

Resident Azam Mokhtar said many home owners had to rent a place to stay elsewhere.

“We were told that the Selan­gor government would disburse the first three months’ rental assistance in a lump sum but there has been no update.”

On April 30, it was reported that RM2.73 million in rental assistance had been allocated for 455 families affected by the disaster.

Selangor’s Chief Minister Amirudin Shari said the number was an increase from the previously reported figure of 396 families, following several requests, applications and ongoing investigations by the authorities.

“The rent will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the affected families,” he said.

Datuk Seri Amirudin added that 214 families had received the aid, and they were waiting for the verification of bank accounts, identity cards and other related documents for the remaining recipients.

Mr Azam said residents were also told that the gas pipeline will resume operations soon. “We are in the dark about what safety measures will be in place,” he said.

Fellow resident Nazrul Aziz said many who lost their vehicles in the blast lacked transport after the expiration of the free-car scheme.

According to media reports, several automobile manufacturers had offered victims free use of a car for a month.

Mr Nazrul said now that the free-car period has expired, they have to pay between RM1,000 and RM3,000 a month to extend their car rental. He added that “this is causing us financial strain as we still have to pay loan instalments for our destroyed cars”.

The father of two also questioned plans to rebuild the damaged homes.

It was reported that Malaysia’s housing department would undertake repairs of homes that were completely destroyed, but Mr Nazrul said owners were told that the repairs would not involve wiring and utilities installation. THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK