SUBANG JAYA: Driven by empathy and compassion for the tragedy that had befallen the gas line fire victims at Putra Heights, some 36 volunteers answered the call from Selangor Volunteers (SERV) for a clean-up operation in the affected housing area of Section 1/ 3 Putra Harmoni today (April 4).
However, they could not proceed with their plans as police had declared the area a restricted zone and asked the volunteers to leave.
Led by secretariat members of the Subang Jaya SERV branch Aly Idham Alykalla, 37, and Syafiq Salleh, 31, a link was sent out for volunteers to confirm their participation the night before.
Many of the volunteers were residents from the neighbouring housing areas.
Among them were four members of the Rover Scouts. Speaking for the group, Gan Wei Shin, 20, said she saw this as a chance to help her neighbours, some of which are her friends, who are currently in hospital for treatment of second and third degree burns.
Another volunteer Nirmaladevi Govindasamy, 49, said before this, she had been at the Masjid Putra Heights temporary evacuation centre to help with the distribution of clothes and food.
“After seeing the suffering of the victims on social media, I felt compelled to help. We also want the place to be cleaned up as quickly as possible,” said Nirmaladevi.
Nirmaladevi, however was not disappointed at being turned away.
“I understand the situation. My offer to be of service still remains. If my help is not needed here, I will offer it at other places like the temporary evacuation centres. I will give the authorities my full cooperation,” she said.
Volunteers had turned up as early as 8am at Masjid Putra Heights to assist KDEB with the cleanup operations.
At the pre-event briefing, they were told that the area they were entering a classified area and no taking of photographs were allowed. They were also not permitted entry into any of the residents’ homes.
“The manpower from the volunteers is to assist KDEB in removing debris to be placed into Roro bins. We hope that the assistance offered can help the victims rebuild their lives after this disaster,” said Aly Idham.
The volunteers arrived at the entrance of the housing area at 10.18am. They waited for close to two hours to await clearance to enter the site before leaving.
