KUALA LUMPUR – The only hope for the two victims of a recent portable gas cooker explosion is that they recover quickly and completely from the severe facial burns they suffered.
The father and son must now commute from their home in Bera, Pahang, to a private specialist medical centre in Kuala Lumpur on a regular basis for specialised facial skin restoration treatment.
Speaking to Scoop recently, Asri Yusof said that the two victims, who are his son and grandson, require weekly treatment sessions to heal wounds, restore skin structure, and eliminate burn marks.
“It has only been a few days since they started treatment in Ampang, which includes a specialised procedure following the incident on March 9.
“They are required to undergo treatment once a week, and they have completed two sessions already,” he said when contacted.
When asked about the incident, Asri said that, at the time, seven members of his extended family, including his son and grandson, were dining at a steamboat restaurant when the gas suddenly exploded.
“Besides my son and grandson, other family members also sustained burns on their faces and hands.
“This is extremely dangerous and can result in accidents that claim lives. The consequences of burns are likely to lead to permanent disabilities,” he added.
However, Asri expressed disappointment in the restaurant owner’s lack of sympathy or regret concerning the tragedy, noting that the owner did not take the initiative to contact the extended family.
Asri also disputed the allegation that his extended family had requested money as compensation, adding that it was untrue.
He also said that when the owner offered RM1,000, they declined, fearing it might be construed as settlement compensation.
“It’s not just about us seeking compensation; the owner should demonstrate concern and take serious responsibility because the explosion case is serious,” he said, adding that a police report has been filed on the incident.
Asri said that a lawyer has also been appointed subsequent to the incident to pursue legal action against the restaurant’s management.
“This isn’t about compensation; it should serve as a lesson. The involved party has failed to demonstrate responsibility and remorse.
They never admitted to the mistake, yet they offered various excuses instead. Therefore, we are compelled to proceed with the suit.
“The owner also contends that this isn’t his fault, attributing the incident to the gas barrel he purchased,” he added.
“In fact, as far as I know, the incident my family experienced is not the first of its kind. Sometime last year, there was a similar incident involving another family. They, too, reportedly sued the restaurant,” he added.
He said that the restaurant owner should temporarily close the business to address the issue and implement improvements to prevent a recurrence.
“However, it appears that they are operating as usual. We are taking action because we don’t want more people to fall victim to similar incidents. – March 21, 2024