Putra Heights: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to obtain a complete list of factories and companies affected by the gas pipeline disaster in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that the initiative aims to gather information on affected workers and comprehend the challenges faced by the companies involved. “So in this matter, MITI and KESUMA are dealing directly with the companies and we will scrutinize and follow up with several actions. The Cabinet has also been informed about gas supply issues faced by a number of companies and factories affected by the closure of the pipeline, and this afternoon, the Energy Commission will hold a meeting with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) regarding the matter,” he said.
Fahmi, who is also the spokesman for the MADANI Government, addressed this at the post-Cabinet Meeting press conference, emphasizing that it is a priority of the government to ensure the restoration of the gas supply. He noted, “…But we also understand that the investigation process is still ongoing and subject to several aspects within the investigation process.”
Meanwhile, he announced that five telecommunications companies, namely CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM Unifi, U Mobile, and YES, will offer aid and recovery support to victims of the Putra Heights disaster, aimed at easing their financial burden. The assistance includes service fee waivers for prepaid and postpaid services for a certain period, free device and SIM card replacement for affected customers, as well as free 5G Wi-Fi services at the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) in Putra Heights.
“The provision of telecommunications support and recovery assistance to affected customers will be based on needs from time to time and will vary according to the telco company, subject to terms and conditions set by each company. This contribution demonstrates the telco companies’ concern for the welfare of affected customers, in line with the compassion values of the MADANI Government, which emphasizes the welfare of the people,” he added.
Further information on the assistance can be obtained by visiting the telco companies’ mobile counters at the PPS, contacting the companies’ main hotlines, or visiting any nearby telco branches. The disaster, involving a Petronas gas pipeline, which occurred at 8.10 am last Tuesday, resulted in flames shooting up over 30 metres high with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius, taking almost eight hours to be fully extinguished. The incident led to 81 houses being completely destroyed with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, 81 houses partially destroyed, 57 houses affected but not burnt, while 218 houses remained unaffected.