SIBU, April 14 — The Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will offer vacant units to the owners of Sibu Jaya’s HDC Terrace Garden Block E flat units affected by last Saturday’s gas explosion.

State housing minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said they were expected to move in, in less than two weeks’ time.

“We have 64 vacant units to be offered to affected unit owners. No extra charges will be imposed on them, they just need to continue paying what they are paying at the moment,” he said, adding that only a minor amendment would be made on the sales and purchase agreement.

Speaking to reporters after attending a briefing on the incident at HDC Central Region Office here today, he said some repair works would be carried out on the vacant units, including the installation of electricity and water supply.

Abang Johari stressed the offer was just for the unit owners, not tenants.

Abang Johari also urged the local government, Sibu Rural District Council to take action against those who “traded” in residential units as such act could be hazardous to the safety of residents.

“The unit involved in the explosion was found to have been used as a trading place by its owner,” he said.

At the briefing, Abang Johari was told that the incident was believed to have been caused by gas explosion as the fire and rescue department found several gas tanks at the unit.

Earlier, he visited the scene of the explosion and the affected residents who are put up at the Sibu Jaya Multipurpose Hall.

The incident which occured at 2.48am, caused a ceiling to collapse and damaged six walls on two floors, leaving over 12 residents injured. — Bernama