KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall plans to demolish all eight units of a longhouse on Jalan Ikan Emas in Cheras, here, and turn it into an open area.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan (pix) said the decision comes after four of the units were badly affected by a fire incident early today.
“God willing, we plan to demolish it and have asked all residents to evacuate,“ he told reporters after inspecting the location and meeting the fire victims here, today.
Nor Hisham said all residents at the longhouse will be offered vacant units at any Public Housing (PA) or People’s Housing Project (PPR) nearby.
Each family affected by the fire received RM500 in assistance from City Hall and Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, besides other basic necessities such as cleaning equipment, mattresses, mats and food from the Social Welfare Department.
Meanwhile, Bandar Tun Razak Sub Zone 5 Residents Representative Council deputy chairman Sanah Manap welcomed City Hall’s proposal for the safety of the residents, and will hold a meeting with the residents’ association to discuss the issue.
“Usually, if it’s for the good (of the community), we will follow suit. After all, the longhouse is also very old, which is over 30 years, and it is very risky for a similar incident to recur,“ he said.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department chief Nordin Pauzi said a team was deployed to the scene after a distress call was received at 3.59 am today.
Nordin said the fire which had completely destroyed four of the eight units in the longhouse was brought under control about 20 minutes later with no loss of lives or injuries reported. -Bernama
