KUALA LUMPUR – Eleven months after a gas pipeline explosion wreaked havoc in Putra Heights, residents are finally seeing progress in rebuilding their homes.
The Selangor state government has pledged to complete all repair and reconstruction work by June, offering hope to the hundreds of families affected by the disaster.
Francis Koh, vice chairman of the Putra Harmoni Residents’ Association, told Scoop that while significant progress has been made, some residents had to pay out of pocket for repairs before claiming reimbursement.
“Under the repair and rebuild programme, a portion of the funding is channelled through state machinery such as Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ). Each household can claim up to RM60,000 for self-repairs,” he explained during a visit to the site.
“For the more severe cases, especially those closer to ground zero, Sime Darby has been managing the repairs directly. But for minor damage further away, residents had to chip in themselves and later claim from the government.”
Koh added that both the state government and federal agencies, including the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), have provided support throughout the process.
“Since April 2025, we have also received RM2,000 per month in renter’s aid for eligible residents, ensuring families can stay afloat while repairs are ongoing,” he said.
The community has faced delays and challenges along the way. In September last year, residents appealed to the state government for intervention after progress slowed.
“Through the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari) himself came to see the situation first-hand. We addressed the delays together, and subsequent meetings with Sime Darby and other agencies helped to get the project back on track,” Koh recounted.
Residents are also still grappling with the psychological impact of the explosion.
“Even after nearly a year, some residents still have trauma. Many cannot sleep in their bedrooms when they hear loud noises or fireworks, and some prefer to sleep near the main door for safety,” he shared. “We have urged our neighbours to be considerate during festive seasons and to avoid setting off firecrackers near the pipeline.”
Koh stressed the importance of ongoing safety measures and resident engagement.
“We want to ensure the necessary safety systems are in place, such as sensors and evacuation plans. We have requested to be included in fire drills and regular updates so that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.”
Of the 74 houses in Koh’s area, 22 are currently under direct repair by Sime Darby, while the rest have carried out minor repairs and claimed reimbursement through MBSJ.
Repair costs for residents range from RM30,000 to RM60,000, mainly for roof replacements, which were vulnerable to heat and cracking.
“Although there were delays initially, everything now seems to be on track. We hope that by June this year, the community can finally return to a sense of normalcy,” Koh said.
The explosion on April 1 last year, which occurred at about 8.10am on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, caused flames reaching 30 metres high and temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. The fire took nearly eight hours to extinguish.
The blast affected 529 residents from 118 families and damaged 235 premises, including homes and shops, with 87 units completely destroyed. In addition, 225 vehicles were damaged, and 126 people were injured, some requiring intensive care.
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DoSH) concluded that the underground pipeline failed due to its inability to withstand weight and pressure, exacerbated by poor soil conditions beneath it. – March 20, 2026