‘Claim up to RM300k for restoration works'
Relentless help: Amirudin (centre) and Nga (second from right) taking questions from reporters during a press conference on the Putra Heights gas pipeline in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star
SHAH ALAM: For houses affected by the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire, home owners can categorically claim for restoration works up to RM300,000, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said an allocation of RM40mil has been collected by the government through the National Disaster Relief Housing Fund, which is for the benefit of victims who lost their homes due to disaster.
Nga said the repair process for residential units would be split into three categories from structural to minor damages.
The first category is for homes with 40% structural damage and in need of rebuilding with a ceiling cost of RM300,000 per unit.
The second is for affected homes with more than 40% damage but does not need any redevelopment process, with the ceiling cost at RM150,000.
'For units requiring repair works of less than 40%, the ceiling cost of restoration works will be fixed at RM30,000,' he told a joint press conference with Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari at the state secretariat building yesterday.
Nga said 291 residential units were affected by the fire.
Of the number, 81 units saw damage of more than 40% while 138 units had less than 40%.
An additional fund of RM6mil would be used to restore public infrastructure affected by the April 1 tragedy, Nga said.
He said the repair works would be carried out through the Subang Jaya City Council, Local Government Department and National Landscape Department.
'This brings the total cost involved in the rehabilitation of the Putra Heights area to RM46mil, comprising RM40mil for reconstruction and repair of homes and RM6mil for public infrastructure restoration.'
Nga also said Sime Darby and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad have been granted access to enter the site and start works today.
'The repair and restoration process will start with residential units along 100m from ground zero. The duration to complete the job is 24 months.
'But the government has urged the developers involved to complete the repair works as soon as possible,' he said.
Amirudin said a full technical report by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is expected to be completed within a month's time.
'While the initial report has been released, we still need more time as the area remain water-logged and requires further investigation.
'We will be able to obtain a full report by then and present it to the Cabinet or the state government,' he said, adding that if there is a need, the report would also be made available for external parties.
Amirudin said an independent panel would be appointed to evaluate both technical investigations by DOSH and the police to ensure such a tragedy would not recur.
'This is because we have pipeline routes and other high-risk areas such as the high voltage cable routes and high pressure water pipelines,' he said.
Amirudin said the state government would also explore expanding the standard operating procedure to prevent similar incidents, describing the gas pipeline fire as 'a lesson to all authorities'.
On the distribution of aid, he said RM2.73mil in rental assistance has been allocated to 455 affected families.
'Each family will receive RM6,000 to cover three month's rent. Additional assistance for the following three months will be provided in July or August for those who need to stay longer,' he said, adding that 214 families have received the aid so far.
Amirudin said as the restoration works would start soon, about 60% to 70% would be able to return to their homes by then.
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