THE Selangor State Government has denied allegations that it is offering temporary rental accommodation in remote or isolated areas to victims affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on 1 April.
Selangor’s Executive Councillor for Housing and Culture, Datuk Borhan Aman Shah, clarified that the temporary accommodation offered to displaced residents is based on available vacant units across the state, with residents free to select a location that suits their individual needs.
Citing the example of the Seri Suria Apartments in Kota Warisan, he said that 100 units have been made available to affected residents through the state’s SMART Sewa Selangor initiative.
“We are giving them the advantage of choosing (which house to rent)... it is entirely up to them (to decide) which is more comfortable.
“…but what we are offering are new homes and not units that have previously been used or occupied,” he told reporters after handing over keys to two fire victims at the site.
His remarks come in response to allegations that the state government had been assigning victims temporary accommodation in far-flung locations, distant from their original homes.
On Monday, Borhan had announced that the Selangor Government was offering 100 temporary rental units at RM850 per month at the Seri Suria Apartments to those affected by the blaze.
He added that as of now, the state has received 75 applications for the units, and the process of vetting and approval is underway to ensure qualified victims can move in as soon as possible.
“We’re focusing on those who are in real need of housing and who do not already own a home. If we find they are eligible, we can consider allowing them to move in immediately without paying a deposit, as this is a special case.
“There are still procedures we must follow, including checks with the district office, as we want to avoid overlooking anyone or letting opportunists take advantage of the situation. We don’t want issues to arise later,” he added.
The massive fire on 1 April destroyed 81 houses completely, with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent. Another 81 homes were partially destroyed, while 57 were affected but not burned. A total of 218 homes, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong, remained unaffected.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the disaster, the Selangor Government launched the Tabung Prihatin Selangor (Selangor Relief Fund), successfully raising RM4.74 million to support the victims.
Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari extended his appreciation to all contributors, acknowledging the crucial role played by both public and private sectors, as well as individuals, in the state’s recovery efforts.
“May the efforts, cooperation and spirit of solidarity that have been demonstrated continue to be strengthened for the well-being of the people,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The Petronas gas pipeline fire, which broke out on the morning of 1 April, saw flames shoot up more than 30 metres high, with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to extinguish the blaze.
Following the incident, the Selangor Government invited contributions from private companies, civil society groups, and individuals to aid in the recovery process through the relief fund.
Amirudin also chaired a Special Briefing on the Gas Pipeline Explosion on Tuesday, stating that the session outlined immediate steps taken and those still to come, aimed at mitigating the impact of the incident and ensuring the continued welfare of those affected.
“This briefing offered a clear overview of the urgent measures that have been implemented, as well as plans moving forward to prioritise the welfare of the victims,” he said. – April 16, 2025
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