Pipeline blast victims have six months to submit claims

The Star

29-04-2025

Amirul Azizan says 203 homes had less than 40% damage.
Putra Heights gas blast victims whose homes sustained less than 40% damage with repairs costing under RM30,000, can submit their claims to Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ).
Mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim said the victims had six months to submit claims, with invoices and photos, through their respective residents associations.
He said the Selangor Recovery Committee, chaired by the State Economic Planning Unit director, had decided that it would manage damage claims above RM30,000.
'The committee will later announce which agency will handle the cost of rebuilding houses that sustained more than 40% structural damage,' he said.
Based on a census carried out by MBSJ, Amirul Azizan said, 203 homes were found to have less than 40% damage, although he acknowledged that some of these homeowners might have repairs costing more than RM30,000.
According to the census, 104 houses suffered over 40% structural damage in the April 1 incident. They are located in Putra Harmoni, Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru and Kampung Tengah A.
The reimbursement exercise is expected to cost MBSJ about RM6.1mil, the mayor said after chairing the city council's full board meeting at MBSJ headquarters in USJ5, Subang Jaya.
During the meeting, Building Department director Haslinda Mohd Rantam tabled a proposal paper to facilitate applications for planning permits, building plans and renovation plans for houses affected by the gas pipeline explosion.
'We were instructed by Housing and Local Government Ministry to expedite applications for permits and plans to repair and rebuild homes,' said Amirul Azizan.
He added that the proposed measures included exemptions for fresh planning permissions and submissions on certain renovation plans.
The proposal paper was unanimously endorsed at the meeting.
Earlier this month, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said a full report was expected to be ready by mid-May.
Amirudin also announced that 396 heads of households affected by the Putra Heights fire were eligible to receive six months of rental assistance of RM2,000 per month.
Meanwhile, MBSJ will be inviting Kumpulan Semesta to give a presentation on its Integrated Road Asset Assessment System next month.
Amirul Azizan said the advanced road damage monitoring technology included road mapping and incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) for pothole detection.
In addition, he said MBSJ was planning to organise a working visit to Penang Island City Council in July to learn how their Penang counterparts incorporated AI to improve their administration and services.