Berjaya Donates Nearly Rm1mil To Putra Heights Blaze Victims

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Berjaya Cares Foundation chairman Vincent Tan presenting a donation to one of the victims of the Putra Heights blaze. He is flanked by transport minister Loke Siew Fook and Kota Kemuning assemblyman S Preakas.
PETALING JAYA: The Berjaya Cares Foundation (BCF) has donated RM900,000 to assist 300 families affected by Tuesday’s Putra Heights gas pipeline fire.
BCF said the RM3,000 cash donation to each household is aimed at alleviating their financial burden.
BCF chairman Vincent Tan handed the donations to the families’ representatives at the Putra Heights LRT station today. Present were transport minister Loke Siew Fook, Selangor investment, trade and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han, and Kota Kemuning assemblyman S Preakas.
“This donation reflects our commitment to supporting humanitarian relief efforts and helping with the recovery,” Tan said in a statement by BCF.
“In the spirit of kindness and unity, we encourage more companies and individuals to step forward to contribute and bring relief to the struggling victims in times of hardship.”
Separately, Loke said criticism from certain parties about DAP’s efforts to help the victims by setting up a donation drive was unreasonable as the party only did so at the request of its members.
The DAP secretary-general said many individual donors had expressed a desire to contribute to the victims but did not know how to go about it.
“This is a disaster and people want to help, yet they are being criticised,” he said.
“It’s better for them (critics) to think about how to help the victims. The government has a responsibility to assist, and private companies also have a responsibility to help.
“Large companies that can afford it have given directly to the victims, but some individuals who want to help with smaller amounts are unsure how to do so, that’s why they asked us to start a fund.”
The blaze, which took eight hours to extinguish, engulfed a 500m section of the gas pipeline, resulting in 111 people being injured, many with burns and respiratory problems.
A total of 235 premises were affected, with 87 houses declared a “total loss” and deemed unfit for occupation, while 148 others can be occupied after repairs.
A total of 399 vehicles were also affected, with 225 burnt and 174 damaged.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said owners of houses that were destroyed would receive RM5,000, while those whose homes were damaged would receive RM2,500 each.
The government will discuss further aid measures when the Cabinet convenes for its weekly meeting next Wednesday. - FMT

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