At your service: Frontliners assisting victims at the Putra Heights mosque relief centre. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
SUBANG JAYA: Ongoing safety concerns have prevented ground zero technical on-site investigations and inspections of the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, says Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Selangor Mentri Besar said among the safety concerns include the recent erratic weather conditions with bouts of heavy rain over the last few days.
“There are also concerns over the unstable ground at ground zero after the explosion had caused the earth to be exposed.
“The soft and exposed soil will result in investigators tripping and falling,” he told a press conference at the Putra Heights mosque relief centre yesterday.
Amirudin said as a result, the technical investigation is focused on the analysis of technical documentation surrounding the site of the incident.
He said a full technical report is expected to be completed some time in the middle of next month at the earliest.
Amirudin also said 87 households severely affected by the fire have registered for temporary Airbnb accommodation.
“However, 16 of the families have yet to finalise the arrangement due to complications in preparations.
“The state government will hand over necessary documents to help the affected victims move in to their new temporary homes on Monday,” he said.
Rebuilding lives: Amirudin (fourth from right) handing over cash aid and laptops to 35 secondary school students at the Putra Heights mosque relief centre. — Bernama
The Mentri Besar said the documentation would enable affected families to receive rental aid of RM2,000 per month for six months, which, he noted, would be paid to their bank accounts on a monthly basis.
Amirudin said starting next week, the current state task force in charge of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire would transition towards purely implementing recovery efforts.
“Only the investigation division will remain active and continue monitoring all ongoing investigations,” he added.
On the recovery efforts, he said 1,402 volunteers have registered to take part in this weekend’s mega gotong-royong programme to clean areas affected by the disaster.
“Much of the previous clean-up efforts were concentrated in Putra Harmoni and Putra Heights as permission was granted earlier.
“The authorities have given the green light to go into Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru a few days ago, so we will mobilise volunteers, machinery and other resources to carry out the work,” he said.
Amirudin said previous clean-up efforts saw over 100 tonnes of trash removed from the affected areas.
“Affected students have received assistance in the form of allowances, laptops, tablets and power banks from the Selangor Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI).
“A total of RM132,500 were given out comprising RM500 cash aid to 265 affected students,” he said.
Additionally, 100 tablets and power banks and 75 laptops, donated by the Digital Ministry, were distributed to 38 school students and 37 undergraduates, along with book vouchers worth RM200, to help replace school supplies lost in the fire.
