YIDE CONTRIBUTES SCHOOL UNIFORM FOR ALL STUDENTS AFFECTED IN PUTRA HEIGHTS GAS PIPELINE FIRE

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- A total of 194 students affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya received two sets of school uniform from Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE) totalling RM77,600.

The donation, which aims to ensure that students can return to school without disruption of basic equipment, was presented by YIDE Chairman Tan Sri Mazlan Mansor at the Putra Heights Mosque, here today.

Mazlan who is also the deputy chairman of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) said YIDE had identified the number of students affected by the incident to ensure that assistance could be provided effectively, through close collaboration with the Selangor State Education Department (JPNS).

bootstrap slideshow

"A total of 194 students from 40 schools were identified as affected involving 134 primary school students comprising 103 Muslims and 31 non-Muslims while 60 secondary school students made up of 42 Muslims and 18 non-Muslims," he said.

He said apart from school uniform, YIDE would distribute other assistance in stages such as stationery, books and school supplies to students in need.

Mazlan said YIDE in collaboration with the Selangor State Government also provided nine special transportation for students who were placed at Temporary Relief Centre (PPS) in the Putra Heights Mosque and Camelia Putra Heights Hall, to ensure that students could attend school. 

In addition, he said 17 students from Higher Education Institutions also received special assistance amounting to RM500 each, while eight nursery students who were also affected by the tragedy received RM100 each. 

"YIDE will continue to strive to ensure the welfare of the affected students by channelling the necessary assistance. YIDE is also committed to ensuring that every student can continue the school session as usual. Any further development on assistance to the victims of this tragedy will be informed from time to time,” he said.

He said MAIS chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, Selangor State Police Chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan and Selangor State Exco for Islamic Religion and Innovation Culture Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah had been summoned to appear before the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah this morning to discuss matters related to assistance for the recovery of victims of the tragedy.

Mazlan said the Sultan of Selangor had decreed for several initiatives to be implemented by MAIS and related agencies, including ensuring that educational assistance was channelled to the affected students to ensure that they could continue their schooling as usual.

"His Majesty in expressing sadness and sorrow, hoped that the victims and their families would persevere in facing this ordeal," he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor State Education Director Dr Jafri Abu said based on current information, a total of nine teachers were identified as affected by the fire involving seven from Petaling Perdana and two from Petaling Utama. 

"We expect the number of affected teachers to increase because they may be currently (outside the affected areas) in family homes or villages. For now, referring to the statement of the Director-General of Public Service, we can allow Teaching and Learning at Home," he said.

The fire involving the Petronas gas pipeline at Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights which started at 8.10am last Tuesday, affected a total of 1,254 people from 308 families.

A total of 87 houses were completely damaged and uninhabitable while another 148 houses were affected and damaged but can be inhabited after going through the repair process.

--BERNAMA