RM46 MLN ALLOCATED TO REPAIR HOMES, INFRASTRUCTURE HIT BY PUTRA HEIGHTS FIRE

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) -- A total of RM46 million has been allocated for the repair of homes and public infrastructure affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

He said RM40 million of the amount came from the National Disaster Trust Fund, which was set up by his ministry to collect donations to aid victims who lost their homes in disasters.

The remaining RM6 million was allocated by the MADANI Government for public infrastructure recovery works via the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), the Local Government Department (JKT) and the National Landscape Department (JLN).

“As the original developer of Taman Putra Harmoni, Sime Darby Property is the most suitable party to assist with the rebuilding of homes based on the original unit layout plans.

“In line with that, Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) will focus on reconstruction works in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru,” he said at a press conference at the Selangor State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam today.

Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Nga said both parties would be granted permission to enter the site and commence repair works starting tomorrow. The restoration process will begin with residential units located within a 100-metre radius of the incident site.

He said the entire reconstruction effort is expected to take up to 24 months to complete.

Nga said funding allocation for the works is based on the extent of damage: for homes with over 40 per cent damage requiring reconstruction, the ceiling cost is RM300,000 per unit.

For homes with over 40 per cent damage but not requiring rebuilding, the allocated amount is RM150,000, while homes with less than 40 per cent damage will receive a maximum of RM30,000.

“I would like to thank all parties involved, including the Selangor state government, Petronas, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and Sime Darby Property for their efforts in finding solutions to rebuild homes for victims of the Putra Heights incident.

“We hope the steps taken will bring relief and new hope to those affected. This recovery effort is a manifestation of the MADANI Government’s commitment to making the people’s well-being a priority,” he said.

Earlier, in a separate press conference, Amirudin said the state government is aware of residents’ concerns if home repairs take longer than six months.

He said in such cases, the state government is prepared to provide additional rental assistance to those affected based on data or feedback from the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) and SPNB.

“Once we receive feedback from the relevant authorities that the repair process will take more than six months, the state government will provide additional rental support to the heads of affected households.

“This means that if they need to stay in rented homes for eight months or even a year, the state government is also ready to assist with rental payments of RM2,000 per month,” he said.

Amirudin added that the current rental assistance is capped at six months, as the state government is confident most victims would be able to return to their homes by then.

-- BERNAMA