A place to call home: Sharifah and her husband Mohmad Johar posing with the mock key for their rebuilt house at Kampung Sungai Baru in Subang Jaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star.
SUBANG JAYA: Despite sustaining burns and losing her home in the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion in April, homemaker Sharifah Mustafa expressed gratitude upon receiving a brand-new house.
She was one of 18 families who received fully repaired and rebuilt homes.
The ceremony was attended by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic) as part of the Sentuhan Kejayaan programme at Site No 8, Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru project, Putra Heights, yesterday.
This was part of the government’s recovery initiative through Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) to ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents.
Sharifah, 59, said she had waited six months after her home was destroyed in the explosion, adding that she had been renting a house nearby for RM2,400.
“We received aid from the state government to help with the rent.
“Our old home was the only one we had, which was also part of our retirement plan. It was devastating when we lost it all.
“My husband and I also sustained burn injuries that required hospitalisation.
“The doctor had to use skin from my thigh to treat severe burns on my arm. Both of us are doing well now, but we still need regular check-ups. With the house rebuilt, we can finally have peace of mind.”
For teacher Hasrina Nordin, 39, losing everything including the home, was heartbreaking.
“I am currently renting a house in Shah Alam, but will soon move in to the new house together with my three children.
“The past six months have been challenging, but the experience has made us stronger,” she said.
On April 1, a major industrial incident occurred in Putra Heights when a PETRONAS gas pipeline leak triggered an explosion and subsequent fire.
SPNB was appointed as the implementing agency for the repairs and new construction of the houses.
The recovery measures began with a special media announcement on April 30, followed by an official appointment letter from the ministry to SPNB on May 7.
Construction then started on June 3.
During his speech, Nga said the project involved an allocation of RM4.85mil from the National Housing Disaster Trust Fund.
“As of the end of November, SPNB has successfully built and repaired 15 houses for the Putra Heights fire victims in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru within six months.
“The remaining three units are pending final documentation by the owners.
“We will continue to monitor and support the victims. Hopefully, the new homes received today will provide a better and more prosperous life,” he said.
Additionally, Nga also announced that SPNB had successfully exceeded the original target in the 12th Malaysia Plan of building 23,000 People-Friendly Housing (RMR) units up to this year with an allocation of RM1.92bil.
“The Madani government then increased the allocation to RM2.13bil to build 26,272 RMR units to meet the housing needs of the low-income group.
“As of October, a total of 74,957 RMR units had been completed nationwide.
“For next year, I am pleased to announce that SPNB through the approved budget, will build 6,545 RMR units with an allocation of RM500mil.
“This will give more opportunities to the B40 group to own a home and improve their quality of life.”
Nga added that SPNB has also introduced the MyRMR application which will facilitate RMR programme transactions through four main modules, namely Applicant, Solicitor, Contractor and SPNB Officer.
This application not only improves work efficiency but also data security and user experience, he said.
