MCA Youth raps govt over lack of updates on Putra Heights reconstruction

Summary

• MCA Youth criticises govt for failing to provide clear updates on RM46m reconstruction efforts after the April gas explosion.

• Selangor MCA Youth chief Tan Jie Sen calls for monthly reports, financial transparency, and firm timelines to restore public trust.

• He questions the fairness of compensation given to victims, citing disparities with other major infrastructure spending.

MCA Youth has urged the government to sufficiently address concerns raised by Putra Heights residents who remain in the dark over reconstruction efforts for their homes affected by the April 1 gas explosion.

Selangor MCA Youth chief Tan Jie Sen asserted that despite the government allocating RM46 million for the repair of homes and public infrastructure damaged by the fire, residents have been left in limbo with no progress updates.

“Three months have passed (since the allocation), yet families report frustrating difficulties obtaining basic updates about the process.

“Clear timelines, transparent fund allocation reports, and regular progress updates would help restore public confidence,” Tan said in a statement today.

He also took Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming to task, accusing the minister of devoting more energy towards hosting “self-congratulatory ceremonies” rather than addressing the suffering of disaster victims.

“We respectfully request (Nga) to demonstrate similar enthusiasm in addressing residents’ concerns.

“We recall the minister’s own words that credibility comes from delivering on promises. In this spirit, we ask what concrete steps have been taken to fulfil commitments to Putra Heights residents?” he questioned.

Monthly public reports

Tan called for monthly public reports on reconstruction progress, complete financial transparency regarding the RM46 million allocation, and a firm commitment to complete all rebuilding within two years.

“The affected families deserve nothing less than full accountability and timely action,” he stressed.

Tan, who is also an MCA Youth central committee member, raised concerns on the disparity between Putrajaya’s significant investments in infrastructure projects and the compensation received by Putra Heights families.

“The disparity between substantial investments in infrastructure projects and the modest compensation offered to displaced (Putra Heights) residents, with many receiving only RM300,000 for homes valued over RM1 million, raises legitimate questions about priorities,” he said.

24 months

On April 30, Nga announced that from the RM46 million allocation, RM40 million came from the National Disaster Trust Fund, which was set up by his ministry to collect donations for aid victims who lost their homes in disasters.

The remaining RM6 million was allocated by the federal government for public infrastructure recovery works via the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Local Government Department, and National Landscape Department.

The minister noted that the entire reconstruction effort is expected to take up to 24 months to complete.

On Monday, the Occupational Safety and Health Department (Dosh) Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat said that the pipe involved in the incident was not fully supported by the soil around it due to cyclic loading, causing a weakness in the welded joint that broke apart and started the fire.

At the same press conference, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that no elements of sabotage or negligence were found, and police have classified the case as no further action.

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