SHAH ALAM, Aug 15 — The Selangor government has disbursed the second phase of rental aid for victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire, covering the period from July to September.
State executive councillor for housing and culture Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said a total of RM864,000 was credited to 144 eligible heads of households on August 6.
The assistance reflects the state’s commitment to safeguarding victims’ welfare while they rebuild their homes or resettle elsewhere.
“This aid is meant to provide temporary relief so victims can focus on restoring their daily lives,” Borhan said in a statement today.
He added that the recipient list was finalised after a review by the Petaling District Disaster Management Unit, the Data Provision Sub-Committee for Victims, and community representatives.
Factors considered included whether a house had been repaired, if the victim was a tenant who had relocated, or if rental support was no longer needed.
Victims who have not yet visited the Petaling District and Land Office to claim their rental aid are urged to do so promptly, so their eligibility can be reviewed and assistance disbursed.
For the first phase of the aid, 365 households received RM2.19 million in rental assistance to cover the period from April to June.
Another 78 households did not require assistance for various reasons, including already living in their own homes, suffering only minor damage, being abroad, or declining the aid.
On April 1, a gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights and the resulting fire destroyed 81 houses with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, partially damaged another 81, and affected 57 more without fire damage.
Firefighters took nearly eight hours to extinguish the blaze. The blast left a 9.8 metre-deep crater.