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Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Rental aid for Putra Heights gas explosion victims extended to next April
The explosion on April 1 sent flames more than 30m high, with temperatures reaching 1,000°C, and left a 9.8m-deep crater at the site. SHAH ALAM : The Selangor government will continue providing rental assistance to victims of the gas pipeline explosion at Putra Heights in Subang Jaya at least until April next year. State housing and culture committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah said the RM2,000 monthly rental assistance will ensure victims have appropriate shelter until their homes are repaired. 'Initially, the state government agreed to provide rental support for six months, but we have decided to extend it for up to a year or more, especially for homes that were completely destroyed, as rebuilding will take time,' he said in a statement today. 'For houses that were partially damaged, assistance will also continue until repairs are fully completed. 'The aid will only be discontinued once the occupants are able to return to their homes.' Borhan said the state government will monitor the progress of the repair to ensure efficient use of funds allocated for the assistance. On April 30, menteri besar Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor government had allocated RM2.73 million in rental assistance to 455 families affected by the incident, covering six months from April. The Petronas gas pipeline fire on April 1 sent flames more than 30m high, with temperatures reaching 1,000°C. The blaze took nearly eight hours to extinguish and left a 9.8m-deep crater at the site.
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
A sombre Aidiladha for Putra Heights gas inferno victims
The gas pipeline fire destroyed 81 houses, with more than 40% of the structures sustaining structural damage; 81 other houses were partially destroyed and 57 houses were affected but not burned. (EPA Images pic) SUBANG JAYA : As Muslims look forward to celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha tomorrow, residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru in Puchong must summon the strength to face the day, two months after their homes were destroyed in the gas pipeline inferno on April 2. Among them was Nasir Ab Hamid, 69, who said sheer will and determination have been his family's main source of strength in forging ahead despite now living with minimal means after losing most of their belongings in the fire. 'My family and I are grateful to be alive and to have received support from the community and various parties. However, I hope the recovery process, particularly the promised rebuilding of our home, can be expedited so that life can return to normal,' he said. Nasir's house remains without a roof, except for the garage, and the interior was devoid of furniture or electrical appliances, which had been destroyed in the intense heat of the fire. Nasir lives in the house alone, sleeping in the garage on a mattress he received from the temporary relief centre. 'Although I received financial assistance to rent a house, I feel more comfortable staying in my own home as I can also keep an eye on what's left of my belongings while my wife and four of our children occupy the rented house,' he said, expressing hope that the government would expedite the repair process for all victims' homes. Another resident, Ahmad Danial, 25, said that their lives are no longer the same, especially with the lingering trauma still deeply affecting the entire family. 'There are no major preparations (for Aidiladha). The house is still in ruins, making it difficult to gather comfortably with the family. We are relying on donations from local associations and neighbours,' he said, adding that he lost his job following the incident. Ahmad Kamarul Meskam, 42, expressed despair for not being able to gather with his siblings for Aidiladha after their mother's house was destroyed in the incident. He said before the fire, they lived in the same village. 'We have no plans to celebrate Aidiladha since we are now living in separate areas.,' he said, admitting that the tragedy has left a profound emotional impact. It is understood that the Kampung Sungai Baru Residents Association will hold a sacrificial ritual in conjunction with Aidiladha on Sunday on a plot of land in the village, thanks to donations of several cows and goats from an anonymous benefactor. The gas pipeline fire, which occurred at 8.10am, resulted in flames shooting up 30 metres high, with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to completely extinguish the fire. A total of 81 houses were destroyed, with more than 40% of the structures sustaining structural damage; 81 other houses were partially destroyed, 57 houses were affected but not burned, and 218 houses remained unaffected.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Enact child safety laws for high-rise residential buildings, says Suhakam
Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki called for regular inspections of high-rise residential units to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. PETALING JAYA : The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called for the enactment of specific laws to enhance child safety legislation in high-rise residential buildings, following the recent deaths of a seven-year-old and two-year-old in separate accidents. 'These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents. 'They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings,' Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said in a statement today. She said the child safety laws to be enacted by the housing and local government ministry should include mandatory safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies for apartment and flat units. 'Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations. 'The ministry and local authorities must also review current building design guidelines to ensure that child safety considerations are mandatory in all high-rise residential developments,' she said. The seven-year-old girl who died on May 20 fell from a babysitter's home on the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. Subang Jaya deputy police chief Fairus Jaafar said preliminary findings indicated that the victim climbed out of the window, which had no safety grilles installed. On May 17, meanwhile, a two-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor of a public housing building in Presint 9, Putrajaya. Farah Nini called for local authorities to conduct regular inspections of high-rise residential units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. 'The absence of basic safety features in high-rise homes directly contributed to the loss of these young lives. This is unacceptable in any society that claims to uphold children's rights,' she said.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Selangor extends rental aid for Putra Heights explosion victims until April 2026
SHAH ALAM, June 4 — The Selangor government will continue providing rental assistance to victims of the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, at least until April next year. State Housing and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the decision to continue the RM2,000 monthly rental assistance was made to ensure that victims have appropriate shelter until their homes are repaired. 'Initially, the state government agreed to provide rental support for six months, but we have decided to extend it for up to a year or more, especially for homes that were completely destroyed, as rebuilding will take time,' he said. 'For houses that were partially damaged, assistance will also continue until repairs are fully completed. The aid will only be discontinued once the occupants are able to return to their homes,' he said in a statement today. He added that the Selangor government will monitor the repair progress of each affected home to ensure that assistance is distributed efficiently under the allocated funding. On April 30, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor government had allocated RM2.73 million in rental assistance for 455 families affected by the incident, covering six months from April onwards. The Petronas gas pipeline fire, which occurred in Putra Heights at 8.10 am on April 1, sent flames soaring over 30 metres high, with temperatures reaching up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. The blaze took nearly eight hours to extinguish and left a 9.8-metre-deep crater at the site. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Durian seller Nathan's prickly fight for survival
Kamalanathan Troung Kodang, or Nathan, is a disabled durian seller running a roadside stall in Subang Jaya. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) SUBANG JAYA : Along a bustling road in USJ 9, Subang Jaya, just opposite the Warisan Sambal Opah restaurant, lies a modest fruit stall. It's nothing more than a plastic table topped with durians and a weighing scale, accompanied by a handwritten sign that reads: 'I'm OKU. Please support me'. This humble setup reflects the tenacity of its owner, Kamalanathan Troung Kodang, 36, in overcoming life's challenges. Better known as Nathan, he has faced his fair share of setbacks. Once a crime branch detective, he left the police force in 2016 to care for his ailing mother. 'After my father passed away, my mother developed a health issue. At the time, there was no one to take care of her, so I left my job,' Nathan told FMT Lifestyle. His mother had suffered a minor stroke that affected her mobility. With his elder brother living in another state and his younger sisters still studying, Nathan stepped up to care for her. To make ends meet, he worked jobs with flexible timing so he could spend more time at home with her. Nathan waits patiently for customers at his durian stall. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) During the pandemic he worked as a Grab rider. But one day a wound he had on the sole of his left leg became infected. Being a diabetic, it resulted in the amputation of two toes. Shortly after, he lost vision in his left eye. In 2023, another wound in his right foot led to the amputation of his right toe. And last year, he was told he might have colon cancer. He is still awaiting a confirmed diagnosis. Earlier this year, he suffered another setback when he collapsed due to low blood pressure, breaking his left leg. Unable to continue work as a Lalamove rider, he sold petai for a while but switched to durians which give him a better income. Many in his circumstances would have given up a long time ago – but not Nathan. His goal is to earn enough without depending on others to support himself and his mother, who now also suffers from knee problems. He wants to save up for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to address her knee issue. 'It will cost RM1,000 per knee, so for both knees, it's around RM2,000.' Workers from Warisan Sambal Opah restaurant regularly help Nathan set up his stall and open durians for customers. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) For Nathan, selling durians comes with its own set of challenges, the weather being one of them – but rain or shine, he shows up for work. Even securing a spot to set up his stall is tough. Sometimes, he waits for hours in his car until a parking space becomes available. During FMT Lifestyle's visit, Nathan said he had been waiting nearly four hours – and his first customer only arrived almost an hour later. Some customers are understanding when they see his condition – they buy without asking him to open the fruits. But others insist he open the durian and walk away if they aren't satisfied with what they see. It's a loss for Nathan as he cannot sell the durian to others once the fruit's opened. Yet, he treats every customer with respect. In May, his right finger was amputated after an injury from a durian thorn became infected. Asked if he ever felt like giving up, he said: 'I haven't so far. Although I had to sacrifice a finger, I'm satisfied because it helps my mother.' Nathan is determined to keep going, one customer and one durian at a time. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Despite his hardships, Nathan has experienced kindness from many around him. He said that the owner of Warisan Sambal Opah instructed his workers to help Nathan during their breaks. Members of the public who have learnt of his plight have given him groceries and donations, and bought durians to support him. 'Malaysians are very kind and helpful. They are really supportive, and they motivate me to be stronger.' Determined to keep going, Nathan is already planning ahead. Once the durian season ends, he will launch his dodol business. 'We have to keep going in life. So, I stay positive, trust myself and believe that I can make it.' Nathan's stall (opposite Warisan Sambal Opah restaurant) 2-1, Jalan USJ 9/5p Subang Business Centre 47620 Subang Jaya, Selangor Business hours: 4pm until sold out at night (closed every alternate Monday) Contact: 017-560 8462 (If you don't see Nathan's stall, give him a call – he's likely nearby, waiting for a spot to free up. Also, best to call ahead in case he has a medical appointment that day.) For the restaurant's location, click here.
