KUALA LUMPUR – More than 4,000 volunteers have been deployed in a large-scale clean-up operation targeting two key areas severely affected by the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the two-day ‘Ops Mega Pembersihan’ initiative, expected to conclude tomorrow, involves state government staff and various agencies.
“In the past week, almost 80 to 90% of the clean-up work in Putra Heights has been completed by KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM).
“Clean-up efforts in Putra Heights had actually started earlier, and now most of our focus is on Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, as the police only granted access to that area in the middle of this week.
“We will be doubling the number of volunteers in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru due to the larger volume of waste and the more challenging terrain.
“I hope this two-day operation will be enough to address public clean-up needs and help ease the burden of homeowners who have started returning since earlier this week,” he said.
Amirudin was speaking to reporters after launching the clean-up drive at Arena Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya (MBSJ) today.
Of the total workforce involved, 600 are volunteers, while the remaining 1,495 consist of personnel from various agencies and external institutions.
The operation is supported by 144 units of machinery and vehicles, including water jetter lorries, water tankers, roll-on-roll-off (RORO) bins, backhoes, road sweepers, skylifts and wood chippers to speed up the clean-up process.
Ops Mega Pembersihan is a joint effort between multiple government departments, including the Selangor State Secretary’s Office, the Petaling District and Land Office, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Public Works Department (JKR), KDEBWM, and 11 local councils in Selangor.
The National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN), Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), and concession companies such as Alam Flora, Southern Waste, and E-Idama are also participating, alongside SERVE volunteers from the Selangor State Sports Council.
Amirudin expressed his gratitude to all parties involved and voiced hope that the clean-up efforts would bring swift relief to affected communities.
“In addition to easing the burden of residents who have begun returning to their homes since earlier this week,” he added.
Last Tuesday, a major fire broke out along a 500-metre stretch of a gas pipeline in Putra Heights on the second day of Aidilfitri, destroying homes and prompting the evacuation of several hundreds of residents to temporary relief centres.
The blaze, which erupted around 8am, sent flames soaring into the sky, and was visible from several kilometres away. – April 12, 2025.