Starting from scratch: (From left) Puspagaran and Lui are thankful for the assistance they have received but are concerned about their plans to rebuild their homes. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
SUBANG JAYA: Puspagaran Alakasundaram worked hard to buy his home in Taman Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights, here.
Having lived here for more than a decade, the 45-year-old was even discussing home renovations during the last few days of March, but the talk turned into heartbreak on April 1 when the natural gas pipeline fire reduced his dream home idea into rubble.
“I wanted to expand the room upstairs, and we even discussed this a day or two prior to the incident,” said Puspagaran, who is the automation head at a bank.
Despite the circumstances, he said the aid given by the federal and state governments as well as PETRONAS lends a helping hand.
“It won’t solve the problem, but it helps. We are expecting this house – declared as a total loss – to be rebuilt.We have spent a lot of money on our home and now it’s completely gone.
“We need our house back. It was also part of our future retirement plans, and that is the only house we have,” he said to the media after receiving early aid from the Federal and Selangor governments, as well as PETRONAS.
According to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, owners of houses that were fully destroyed will receive RM10,000, comprising RM5,000 from the Federal Government and RM5,000 from PETRONAS.
Those with partially damaged houses will receive RM2,500 from the Federal Government and RM2,500 from PETRONAS, while those renting houses will also receive the same, with the aid channelled through the Selangor state government.
IT manager Lui Poh Yiau, 43, said the financial aid was timely and very helpful.
“We have been waiting for this and finally there is an update from the authorities.
“While it’s not enough for the house, it’s an emergency fund that can help support us in the next few days,” said the 43-year-old.
Lui also commended Selangor for providing rental assistance of RM2,000 per month for six months to each affected family to rent houses while their homes are being repaired or rebuilt.
“This is very helpful and the amount is enough,” he said.
Engineering designer Ahmad Baharuddin Hamid, 56, estimated his losses to go up to RM2mil.
“The house, my two cars and motorcycle are damaged,” he said.
He echoed the sentiments of others, stating that the aid is indeed beneficial.
“We are starting afresh for now and will also have to search for a place to stay while repairs are being completed,” said Ahmad Baharuddin, whose home at Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru was affected.
The aid was distributed to about 150 of the 219 victims registered with the Selangor disaster management unit at the Kampung Bukit Lanchong community hall yesterday.
The Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department will directly distribute the aid to those unable to attend the presentation ceremony conducted by representatives of the Federal and Selangor governments, along with PETRONAS.
