By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, April 9 — The first phase of emergency aid distribution to victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion last week is expected to be completed this week.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said that as of now, 219 affected individuals have received the aid, which began being distributed on Monday (April 7).
“We recorded 613 family registrations related to the incident, but after the verification process was completed, 469 household heads or members were confirmed eligible to receive either RM10,000 or RM5,000.
[caption id="attachment_396874" align="alignleft" width="452"]
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari speaks during a press conference at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam on April 7, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“As of Monday’s handover, 219 victims have received the aid, while the remaining 250 will receive theirs by the end of this week,” he said during a special press conference at the State Secretariat Building today.
Earlier, Amirudin had announced that 81 homeowners whose houses were completely destroyed in the incident received RM10,000 in immediate financial aid.
He clarified that the total consists of RM5,000 from the Federal government and an additional RM5,000 from Petronas. Homeowners whose houses were not destroyed also received RM5,000, and tenants were given the same amount.
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar also announced that victims who lost or had their land grant documents damaged in the fire can begin the replacement process next week.
“The state government, via the Petaling District Land Office, will set up a mobile counter in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru next week, after residents are allowed to return home.
“Kerajaan Negeri menerusi pejabat tanah daerah Petaling akan membuka kaunter bergerak khususnya di Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru minggu depan selepas mereka dibenarkan pulang ke kediaman masing-masing.
“We have received reports of lost or damaged land grants and property documents. Therefore, we will assist by deploying mobile counters.
“Affected individuals can replace their documents by visiting the Selangor Land and Mines Office mobile van, which will be managed by the Petaling District Land Office,” he said.
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.
