Latest news with #SyarikatPerumahanNegaraBhd
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Putra Heights fire: SPNB to rebuild, repair 17 houses from next week
KEPALA BATAS: Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd will rebuild and repair 17 houses affected by the April 1 gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Selangor, starting next week. Its chief executive officer, Mohd Jamil Idris, said this is an initial project involving 11 homes that were completely destroyed and six houses for repair under the government allocation previously approved, namely a maximum of RM300,000 for rebuilding and RM150,000 for repairs. "We have entered the area, and our contractors issued appointment letters to the affected residents this week. So, starting next week, they (the contractors) will start work at the site (of the affected houses). "If we look at the data we have, so far, there are 17 houses… and this data may change," he said. He told reporters this when met at the Urban Community Sustainability Programme and SPNB corporate social responsibility programme in Taman Desa Kuala Muda. The programme was officiated by SPNB chairman Datuk Mohd Azmi Mohd Lila. The gas pipeline fire on April 1 caused flames to rise more than 30m, with temperatures reaching over 1,000 degrees Celsius, A total of 81 homes were completely destroyed, with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, 81 homes partially damaged, 57 homes affected but not burned, and 218 homes left unaffected. On another matter, Azmi said SPNB will build a total of 5,450 houses under the Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) project nationwide this year, with an allocation of RM504 million, to help B40 and low-income groups own homes. He said SPNB had implemented about half of the target as of May and aims to complete it all by the end of this year. "We build these houses quite fast, in three months, mostly using conventional methods as well as IBS (industrialised building system), but there may be issues in terms of slight delays (for certain applications) because (there are) necessary processes," he said. Azmi said the eligibility criteria for owning an RMR home include a household income not exceeding RM5,000, not currently owning a house and having their own land. "The construction cost for each house is RM75,000, namely RM20,000 in the form of a government subsidy and the remaining RM55,000 as an interest-free loan. "The monthly repayment is RM300 for about 16 years," he said, adding that a total of 73,279 RMR units have been built nationwide since 2002.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Some Putra Heights house owners still waiting for aid
The gas pipeline explosion at Putra Heights on April 1 destroyed many homes and vehicles. — Filepic Victims struggling to service loans for houses, destroyed vehicles IT has been almost two months since a gas pipeline explosion rocked Putra Heights in Subang Jaya but several affected residents are still waiting for aid that was promised to them. These include the RM2,000 a month from the Selangor government to cover rental for up to six months, RM500 in schooling aid from the Education Ministry and access to a car for personal use. The April 1 explosion destroyed 81 homes, badly damaged 57 and partially damaged 81. Resident Dr Muhammad Azam Mokhtar said many homeowners had to rent elsewhere. 'We were told that the Selangor government would disburse the first three months' rental assistance in a lump sum but there has been no update.' On April 30, it was reported that RM2.73mil in rental assistance has been allocated for 455 families affected by the disaster. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the number was an increase from the previously reported 396 families, following several requests, applications and ongoing investigations by the authorities. 'The rent will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the affected families.' Amirudin stated that 214 families had received the aid, while they were waiting for verification of bank accounts, identity cards and other related documents for the remaining number. Dr Muhammad Azam said they were also told the gas pipeline will resume operations soon. 'We are in the dark about what safety measures will be in place,' he said. Fellow resident Nazrul Abd Aziz said many who lost their vehicles in the blast lacked transport after the expiration of the free car scheme. According to media report, several automobile manufacturers had offered victims free use of a car for a month. Nazrul said now that the period had expired, they had to pay between RM1,000 and RM3,000 a month to extend the car rental. 'This is causing us financial strain as we still have to pay loan instalments for our destroyed cars.' The father of two also questioned plans to rebuild the damaged homes. It was reported that Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) would undertake repairs of homes that were completely destroyed. Nazrul said owners were told that repairs would not involve wiring and utilities installation.
