By Sofia Nasir
SUBANG JAYA, April 11 — The Mega Cleaning Operation taking place this weekend is expected to resolve nearly all cleanliness issues at the site of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said an estimated 1,402 volunteers will be involved in the operation, which will be managed by the Subang Jaya City Council.
“We will attempt to address the waste issues, including in the affected village. We previously cleaned in Taman Putra Harmoni, but only a few days ago were we granted access to the village.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (second from right) and Selangor Deputy State Secretary (Development) Dato' Johary Anuar (right) present a contribution to a student victim of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire, during the presentation ceremony at Masjid Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 11, 2025. — Picture by NUR FATIHAH HAMIZI/MEDIA SELANGOR.[/caption]
“I believe within these two days, we can resolve 90 per cent of the cleanliness issues, including the management of fire debris. As of yesterday, more than 100 tonnes have been successfully removed,” he said at a press conference today.
Earlier, Amirudin handed out cash assistance to 265 affected students at the temporary relief centre in Masjid Putra Heights.
Meanwhile, he said the State Disaster Management Committee held its final meeting today, to be followed by a recovery committee that will begin its meetings this Monday (April 14).
Amirudin said the state administration does not intend to hold daily press conferences starting tomorrow but instead will do so periodically as needed.
“Today marks the 9th meeting, which is the final one. From now on, the committee meeting from Monday onwards will be the recovery committee.
“The only remaining active disaster committee is the investigation division, led by the state police chief, to further examine the case,” he said.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre, left) presents a contribution to a student victim of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire, during the presentation ceremony at Masjid Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 11, 2025. — Picture by NUR FATIHAH HAMIZI/MEDIA SELANGOR.[/caption]
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) Foundation or MBI has contributed RM132,500 to 265 students affected by the fire.
The Menteri Besar said each student received RM500 in assistance to help ease the burden of purchasing school necessities.
The state government also provided book vouchers worth RM200 to 37 university students affected by the incident.
"In addition, the Digital Ministry has contributed 100 tablets and power banks, as well as 75 laptops for the affected students.
Simultaneously, Amirudin expressed his appreciation to the MBI Foundation and the Digital Ministry for their concern and the contributions extended to all affected victims.
The explosion, which occurred at around 8.10am on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (April 1) sent flames more than 30 metres into the sky. Temperatures reportedly reached up to 1,000°C, and the fire took nearly eight hours to be fully extinguished.
The incident resulted in the complete destruction of 81 houses with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, while another 81 were partially destroyed.
Fifty-seven homes sustained damage without catching fire, and 218 homes remained unaffected.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (front, centre left) and Selangor Deputy State Secretary (Development) Dato' Johary Anuar (front, centre) with student victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire during the aid presentation ceremony at Masjid Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 11, 2025. — Picture by NUR FATIHAH HAMIZI/MEDIA SELANGOR.[/caption]
