PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (pic) has decreed that aid be distributed to all school students affected by the massive fire in Putra Heights.
According to Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, the Selangor Ruler decreed that Mais, through Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE), identify the total number of students affected.
“This will allow aid, including uniforms, stationery, books, school items and other essentials to be distributed.
“The aid is given to ensure students can continue their schooling as usual,” Salehuddin said in a statement yesterday.
He said YIDE will work with the Selangor 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 to help Muslim orphans and distribute aid for disaster victims in Selangor.
“This is in accordance with what His Royal Highness decreed,” he said.
Earlier, 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 the victims.
His Royal Highness expressed heartfelt sorrow over the tragedy and hoped the victims and their families 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 the affected students.
The Selangor Ruler also decreed that the management of mosques and surau near the Putra Heights incident be prepared to convert their premises into temporary relief centres (PPS).
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 suffer damage from being converted into a PPS.
“His Royal Highness also decreed that congregational solat fardu prayers continue as usual in mosques and surau even though they have been converted into relief centres,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also decreed that the Selangor Zakat Board identify those whose properties were destroyed and offer the necessary zakat aid, said Salehuddin.
“The priority will be for victims who lost their homes or whose homes are badly damaged,” he said, expressing hope that Mais and its agencies’ assistance can help relieve the burden faced by the victims.
“We also pray that all victims will be patient and have the strength in facing this trying period,” he said.
