PETALING JAYA: Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has decreed for aid to be distributed to all students affected by the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire.
According to Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, the Selangor ruler decreed for Mais, through Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE), to identify the total number of students affected.
“This will allow aid, including uniforms, stationery, books, school items and other needs to be distributed.
“The aid is given to ensure students can continue their schooling as usual,” Salehuddin said in a statement on Thursday (April 3).
Salehuddin said YIDE will work with the Selangor state government to coordinate transportation for students to schools throughout the recovery phase of the tragedy.
He also said aid will be given to non-Muslim students, despite YIDE being a welfare institution aiding Muslim orphans and distributing aid for disaster victims in Selangor.
“This is in accordance with what His Royal Highness decreed,” said Salehuddin.
Earlier Thursday, Salehuddin together with the Mais deputy chairman, Selangor police chief and Selangor Islamic and cultural innovation committee chairman were summoned by Sultan Sharafuddin to discuss aid distribution for victims.
Here, His Royal Highness expressed heartfelt sorrow towards the tragedy and hoped for the victims and families to go through these trying times with full patience.
Salehuddin also said Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that the Infak Jariah Umat Islam Selangor Fund be used to provide cash aid to YIDE, allowing YIDE to distribute aid to affected students.
The Selangor ruler decreed that the management of mosques and surau near the Putra Heights incident be ready to be converted into temporary relief centres (PPS) as well.
To this, Salehuddin said MAIS will be responsible in allocating Baitulmal monetary assistance either through wakaf or general sources to repair any mosque or surau that sustains damages from being converted into a PPS.
“His Royal Highness also decreed that congregational solat fardu prayers continue as usual in mosques and suraus even though they have been converted into relief centres,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also decreed for the Selangor Zakat Board to identify those whose properties were destroyed, and offer the necessary zakat aid, according to Salehuddin.
“The priority will be for victims who lost their homes or whose homes are badly damaged,” he said.
Salehuddin expressed hope that Mais and its agencies' assistance can help relieve the burden faced by victims.
“We also pray that all victims will receive with patience and strength in undergoing this trying period,” he said.
