Putra Heights inferno: 70 victims receive three months' rental assistance from Selangor govt
SEPANG: The Selangor government has disbursed three months' worth of rental assistance to 70 victims affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.
State housing and culture committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the aid of RM2,000 per month was transferred directly into the victims' accounts by the Selangor Housing and Property Board.
"Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari instructed that the aid be deposited directly into their accounts.
"The assistance, totalling RM6,000 for three months, has been transferred to about 70 victims so far, in coordination with the land office," he told reporters after the Kampung Angkat Madani: Kampung Labu Lanjut launch ceremony here on Sunday (April 27).
Borhan said the number of recipients is expected to increase next week as the process is being carefully managed by various agencies.
Prior to this, Amirudin announced that 396 heads of households affected by the Putra Heights fire are eligible to receive six months of rental assistance of RM2,000 per month.
The fire on April 1 destroyed 81 homes, with structural damage exceeding 40%, while 81 others were partially destroyed. A further 57 homes were impacted but not burned and 218 homes, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong, were unaffected. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
Indonesia's FM calls for stronger Asean mechanisms after Vision 2045 adoption
JAKARTA/MANILA (Bernama): Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for strengthening Asean's institutional mechanisms, including its diplomatic corps and central bodies, to effectively implement the Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted at last month's summit in Kuala Lumpur. At a meeting with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to Asean (CPR) and Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Asean at the Foreign Ministry here, he praised the progress achieved through Asean's cooperation frameworks, especially after the adoption of the Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045. He said the long-term vision, adopted at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last month, outlines a strategic roadmap for the next two decades, envisaging a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred Asean. "We need to strengthen Asean mechanisms, including the CPR, and bolster the Asean Secretariat and Asean Headquarters in Jakarta to optimise our potential in addressing challenges within the region and globally,' he said. Sugiono also underscored the CPR's role in fostering community building, facilitating cross-pillar coordination, and engaging with Asean's external partners, as it is essential to achieving the goals of ACV. He further welcomed Timor-Leste's upcoming accession as Asean's eleventh member state later this year. - Bernama
Focus Malaysia
2 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Madani slammed for EV perks to rich, burden on poor
THE Madani government's push for electric vehicles (EVs) was initially praised, as EVs are seen as better for the environment than fuel-powered cars. However, the high prices of EVs have made them unaffordable for most Malaysians — especially since almost 35% of formal workers earn less than RM2,000 a month. Under current policies, EVs are exempt from import and excise duties until the end of this year. This has triggered criticism on social media. Some users on X pointed out that while EV buyers — often the wealthy — get to enjoy tax-free benefits, regular Malaysians who buy fuel-run cars must still pay high taxes. One user said that someone buying a locally made car like the Proton Saga would still pay around RM15,000 in excise and sales taxes. Many Malaysians need a car just to go to work, especially in a car-dependent country like Malaysia. Meanwhile, luxury EVs like the Porsche Taycan — which costs RM675,000 — are completely tax-free. When a low-income M'sian buys a Proton Saga, he pays RM15,375 in excise & sales tax. But when a rich man buys an EV Porsche Taycan, he pays zero — saving over RM600,000. Tesla Model 3 saves RM225k. BYD Dolphin saves RM120k. Well done, Madani. Reward the rich, tax the poor. — khalid karim STEMKITA (@khalidkarim) June 6, 2025 To put things into perspective, that car costs nearly as much as the median house price in the Klang Valley, which is around RM745,000. Another user pointed out that even if Malaysians pay less income tax than in some countries, they still end up paying a lot of 'indirect' taxes on daily goods and services. Malaysia's income tax may be lower than many countries but we pay a lot more indirect taxes — 1negara (@1negara1) June 7, 2025 Many Malaysians online feel that the current EV policy seems to benefit the rich while leaving the poor behind. There's growing frustration over why Malaysia has set an RM100,000 minimum price for EVs — especially since brands like BYD offer much cheaper EVs in places like Thailand and China. This price gap has raised concerns about fairness and accessibility in Malaysia's EV market. — June 7, 2025 Main photo credit: Shutterstock
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
New Lao-Thai friendship bridge to enhance trade and connectivity, say top officials
Image from The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network VIENTIANE (Bernama-Xinhua): The fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, linking Bolikhamxay province in Laos to Thailand's northeastern province of Bueng Kan, is set to open in December 2025, enhancing regional and international connectivity while fostering trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.. A concrete-pouring ceremony of the fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge was held on Friday in Bolikhamxay province, attended by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit, and officials from both countries. The project is an important part of Lao's sustainable growth plan and will help the country improve infrastructure and become better connected regionally and internationally, according to a Lao Economic Daily report on Saturday. The 1,350-metre bridge marks a major step in bilateral cooperation, with 98.4 per cent of construction on the Lao side and all approach roads and immigration facilities completed. The bridge is expected to cut travel time between the two provinces by up to three hours, boosting trade and tourism. Following earlier crossings that handle over 5 million vehicles annually, the new bridge is projected to start with 1,200 vehicles per day, increasing to 3,000 within five years. - Bernama-Xinhua
