By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, April 10 — Discussions are currently underway with the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to ensure that victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire are offered temporary housing closer to their original homes.
State executive councillor for housing and culture Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the collaboration also involves Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) in seeking strategic solutions.
“So far, the Selangor Smart Sewa scheme to house Putra Heights victims in Kota Warisan, Sepang has received 10 applications.
[caption id="attachment_380866" align="alignleft" width="402"]
State executive councillor for housing and culture Datuk Borhan Aman Shah speaks to the press during the Selangor Strata Green Landscape Awards 2024 at the Midlands Convention Centre in Section 7, Shah Alam, on November 23, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIASELANGOR[/caption]
“We understand that some feel the location is quite far, especially due to schooling issues for their children, but it may be more suitable for those who are unmarried or whose children are not yet in school, as well as tenants from Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru,” he told Media Selangor.
Borhan added that the state government is also making efforts to negotiate with housing developers in the Putra Heights area to help provide temporary homes for the victims.
Regarding the provision of Airbnb units, he said 16 families have accepted the offer out of 78 temporary homes provided by the platform.
“To date, only 16 families have moved into the Airbnb units. These units are located around the Puchong area, and there are still some available for those who wish to stay,” Borhan said.
Previously, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced that Airbnb had agreed to sponsor 78 temporary homes for a period of two months for those affected by the gas pipeline explosion.
He said the state government is offering 100 Smart Sewa units in Sepang, which will be rented out free of charge and fully funded by the State Government.
The Petronas gas pipeline fire that broke out around 8.10am on April 1 sent flames more than 30 metres into the sky, with temperatures soaring to 1,000°C. It took nearly eight hours for the blaze to be fully extinguished.
The incident left 81 houses completely destroyed with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, another 81 houses partially destroyed, 57 damaged but not burned, and 218 houses unaffected.
