Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said conflicting statements from different ministries and agencies were causing unnecessary anxiety.
Hamzah said the various authorities had issued differing statements on the aid available to victims.
The government should avoid confusing the public with contradictory statements, he said, citing recent remarks by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other officials.
“For instance, Anwar said he wants Petronas to take immediate action, but then someone else said it was the contractor’s fault.
“This kind of statements can scare the people,” he told reporters after visiting the affected residents at a temporary relief centre here.
The national oil firm said its publicly listed subsidiary, Petronas Gas Bhd, which owns the affected pipeline, would be working closely with government authorities and agencies to assess the full impact of the incident.
Hamzah went on to say that while the government had announced immediate cash aid for those affected, there was a need for clarity on what further action the government intended to take to help the victims.
“For example, if someone’s house is completely burnt, they have been told to stay at the temporary relief centre.
“The government said it will give RM5,000, but what else is being done?”
Hamzah said a committee should be set up to oversee the situation and ensure residents received proper compensation.
The fire, which broke out yesterday morning, engulfed a 500m section of the pipeline, injuring 111 people staying nearby, many of whom suffered burns and respiratory issues.
A total of 399 vehicles were affected, with 225 burnt and 174 damaged. A total of 538 residents from 120 families have been relocated to two temporary relief centres. - FMT
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