In my opinion, following the Petronas Gas Pipeline Disaster (lucky no child, man or women died) - that EXPOSED the fact that there are houses/buildings allowed to be built so close to such a dangerous pipeline raises so much questions. Remember, the damage by extreme heat caused cars to melt about 200-300 meters or more from the PIPELINE? The nearest house was about 100 meters only... These GAS PIPELINE are dangerous and there is a RISK of leakages, and gasses can be dispersed far, and can affect health. The other RISK is explosion/fire, which we just experienced - and high temperature about 1,000 degrees CELCIUS causing cars/etc to be melted by the extreme heat, and what is the effect on human persons - luckily no one died this time.
Now, this Pipeline is long, and as such there is a RISK that 'accidents' can happen anywhere anytime along the said Pipeline - so, the concern is now NO MORE the site of the explosion, but anywhere along the Pipeline.
PETRONAS and the government would have placed very strict conditions for these pipeline - there would be a CORRIDOR.
Sarawak has acted fast, the Federal Government and rest of the State Government not yet.
This recent explosion may need a REVISION of the size of these 'gas corridors' - in the media reports, it seems the houses was about 100 meters away, but since the damage by reason of extreme heat caused melting of cars, etc about 300-400 meters away - it may be BEST to protect lives to increase the corridor to be at least 500 meters from the pipe. SO, what will the government do with all the houses/buildings and existing human activity that is now within that 500 meter distance from Gas Pipeline. ACQUIRE the land, and move the houses??? ALTERNATIVELY, move the Gas Pipeline
Nobody has yet been TRANSPARENT and revealed the existing standards, and answered the question whether the Subang Jaya Local Government VIOLATED the law, when they allowed houses/buildings/children's playground to be built so close to these GAS PIPELINES.
Sadly our Prime Minister/Finance Minister who is also responsible for PETRONAS has been very silent about the relevant facts > what exactly happened? The cause and weaknesses? Improvement needed to the standards to ensure safety? He has been talking about RELIEF for victims but he must go deeper...
HE, in my opinion, has avoided TRANSPARENCY - and has been treating in as though it was some flood, earthquake, tsunami, etc - and focusing on giving some financial aid, etc...
We are still even in the DARK about the regulations governing the Pipeline? Was there a BREACH? Was there a breach when some contractor brought in heavy machinery and worked so close to the Pipeline - there may be attempt to lay blame on some worker, some contractor - but I feel blame ought to fall on the relevant authorities, who seem to have FAILED to prevent the MISHAP? No comment yet as we still are only guessing as to what happened and WHY?
PM Anwar Ibrahim also FAILED to appoint a Federal Minister to oversee and coordinated investigations, and matters related - and the most appropriate Minister ought to be the Minister for Housing and Local Governments, NGA KOR MING(DAP-PH) who should take the lead > not the Selangor Menteri Besar as this is about HOUSING, and Local Government possible wrongdoings - noting that Local Government decides ALONE on the approval of houses/buildings/development activities within its jurisdiction. Did the Local Government BREAK the law when it approved the building of houses so close to the GAS Pipeline? OR was the Local Government 'extremely' Negligent when it approved the development and buildings, so close to that dangerous gas pipeline?
As a lawyer, I believe that all the VICTIMS have a case against the LOCAL GOVERNMENT - and they may be able to claim FULL cost of House, Cost of Relocation, other damages/compensations.
Interestingly, to date, we still do not know the cause of the accident? Did the pipes crack because of old age? Did it crack because someone broke the pipes? Did the excavator/tractors(that was allegedly working very near) hit the pipe and cause the gas to leak? Was it the weight of the heavy machinery on the pipeline that cause it to leak? Who allowed work to be done in that 'GAS CORRIDOR' in which the pipeline was? Was it the LOCAL Government - should we demand immediate resignation of the Mayor and all Councillors NOW..
After the incident, Sarawak has started to act - but what about PM Anwar and the Federal Government, or the State Governments and Local Governments??
Sarawak will officially designate gas corridors under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) as a precautionary measure to prevent incidents like the recent gas pipeline explosion in Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights, Subang Jaya....“The key is to establish a proper buffer zone and designate a wide corridor for gas infrastructure. This will allow for early detection of potential hazards and significantly reduce risks in case of a fire or explosion,” he said.
QUESTION:-
Remember, it is generally the LOCAL GOVERNMENT that approves any proposed development (building of houses/buildings/play grounds/etc..), the approve the PLAN and make sure that all construction is done according to specifications - and, the also issue the Certificate of Fitness, which is needed before homes/buildings can be utilized.
So, did the Local Government(Subang Jaya mayor Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim and the politically appointed Local Councillors, NOT democratically elected by the people), BREAK the law??? So, they should not be involved in the INVESTIGATIONS - it should be an INDEPENDENT Board of Inquiry or even Royal Commission of Inquiry possibly led by or set up by Minister Nga Kor Ming). The Selangor MB and the State Government of PH who appointed the possibly 'wrong' Mayor and Councillors may also be responsible?
Subang Jaya mayor Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim says a development project near the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire had secured legal approvals since 2022....The mayor said the project, which involves the construction of shop lots, has also secured all required permits in accordance with established regulations. .. Petronas had granted permission for the use of its ROW for the installation of Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) pipelines. However, the project itself is not located within the ROW.
The problem was whether there was strict compliance with the regulations to ensure safety, amongst others. as it is not uncommon, for some projects to be approved because of 'corruption', abuse of power, political 'connections' - so proper investigations, please....
The incident reminds us of the 1991 Bright Sparklers incident, where Twenty six people were killed and over a hundred people were injured in the disaster.[2] The explosion was strong enough to rip off the roofs of some local houses, and ended up damaging over 200 residential properties and was felt as far as 7-8 kilometers from the side. There was a RCI - and it also led to the development of new laws like the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
This gas pipeline 'disaster' is WORSE - as the pipeline is everywhere, and the 'accident' can happen anywhere along the pipeline - Time to REVIEW Standards, time to move farms/houses/buildings when the GAS Corridor may be expanded - to maybe be about 500 meters from the pipelines.
When, we talk about GAS Corridors - it is absurd that contractors can still enter the corridor and work on IWK, TNB or any structures for development's outside the corridor. The said Gas Corridor should be a 'secure' site, and no one should be allowed in - What was the security like? Was there CCTV? Security guards to prevent trespass, etc? This may have been an accident - but such dangerous gas pipelines can also be subject to sabotage and even attacks by enemy forces...
ACT NOW - If the Prime Minister is not confident with Nga Kor Ming, then appoint some other Minister or personally take charge. Anwar should preferably not appoint any Minister or Chief Minister from his own party, PKR - best it be from some other PH Party, or even someone from the Opposition.
What is Parliament doing? Are they not going to INVESTIGATE this case - remember, their 'check and balance' role to prevent abuse by the PM and Federal government, and others?
RCI now for the Gas Pipeline Fires - and Mr PM, no quick 'forgiveness' for those involved - for the Financial Implication may be Billions of Ringgit - for the Pipeline runs everywhere, and there may be a need to ACQUIRE LAND, re-locate all those too close to the Gas Pipeline for the purpose of future safety, ...
Heard that some of the victims have been allowed to return to their HOMES - who is deciding this? All buildings/homes should be now considered NOT FIT - so, do a proper appraisal of the fitness to live and ensure safety. Extreme heat will have caused damage to electrical wiring, and possibly even the structure of the buildings - just because electricity can flow - does not mean that the wiring is OK and safe? This is NOT FLOOD - where we can send people home after flood recedes. Here, we are talking about EXPOSURE to very high heat, an explosion that have affected the foundation - this, in my opinion, is not a situation that can speedily be swept under the carpet...What do you think?
Summary
Subang Jaya mayor Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim says a development project near the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire had secured legal approvals since 2022.
He says the project had also obtained Petronas’ permission to access its Right of Way for the installation of Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) pipelines, with the contractors involved approved and recognised by relevant authorities.
IWK denies any involvement in the fire, asserting that the developer and contractor bear full responsibility to ensure regulatory compliance.
A development project near the site of yesterday's gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya received legal approvals in 2022, said Subang Jaya mayor Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim.
The mayor said the project, which involves the construction of shop lots, has also secured all required permits in accordance with established regulations.
He also said that the project had obtained approval to access Petronas’ Right of Way (ROW), with the contractors involved being an approved panel recognised by the relevant authorities.
A Petronas ROW refers to an unobstructed corridor of land where the national oil and gas firm has been granted the legal right to operate, maintain and protect its pipelines.
"All necessary approvals were obtained in accordance with regulations. Petronas had granted permission for the use of its ROW for the installation of Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) pipelines. However, the project itself is not located within the ROW.
"Based on the documents and on-site assessments, all approvals are in place,” Amirul said, adding that the project is in the final stages of securing its certificate of completion and compliance (CCC).
“The project was initially scheduled for completion in December last year, but faced some delays due to the CCC approval process,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
Responding to allegations on social media, Amirul stressed that no official statement will be issued at this time as probes remain ongoing by the police, Petronas and other relevant authorities.
“At this stage, any claims spreading online should not be taken as official (statements). We will leave it to the investigating agencies to determine the facts,” he added.
IWK issues denial
In a separate statement, IWK denied any relation to the fire, asserting that the developer’s contractor constructed the pipeline.
“It is important to note that the laying of this pipeline is the developer’s responsibility for its own development.
“While IWK granted planning approval, the responsibility for regulatory compliance and authority approvals lies with the developer and its appointed contractor, which is not registered with IWK as claimed in media reports,” it said.
It added that it remains fully committed to assisting investigations, noting that it will defer to the project owners and relevant authorities for further action on the matter.
Earlier today, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan told Malaysiakini that two construction companies are among those being scrutinised by authorities in relation to the recent disaster.
Since the gas pipeline fire broke out yesterday, creating a massive blaze visible from several kilometres away, allegations have been rife on social media that the incident was linked with earthworks tied to a construction project nearby.
Many social media users also shared visuals of the purported construction works, including a photo showing heavy machinery allegedly encroaching on land reserved for the pipeline. - Malaysiakini, 2/4/2025
In pictures: A tale of fire and loss
Over 500 residents from Putra Heights in Subang Jaya and the surrounding area were forced to move to temporary relief centres due to the huge blast which left many homeless.
Photographs by MalaysiaNow
The huge fireball that erupted on the morning of April 1 due to a leak in an underground gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.
The blaze ripped through housing areas in the vicinity, damaging and destroying hundreds of homes and vehicles, and leaving behind a crater 32 feet deep and 70 x 80 feet wide.
Over 500 residents were evacuated to temporary relief centres while many others were hospitalised due to burns and respiratory troubles.
A firefighter sprays water on a house gutted by the huge blaze. Hundreds of personnel from 11 agencies were involved in the efforts to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents.
Many residents lost their homes and everything in them.
Others suffered less extensive losses but will still struggle to put their lives back together.
Mohmad Johar Misri, who lives in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, Puchong, suffered second degree burns to his shoulders and legs while fleeing his home.
Roofs were torn from houses, and even the trees and greenery in the area were not spared.
Evacuees fill the relief centre at the Putra Heights Mosque, which took in 485 victims from 110 families.
An elderly woman sits in a wheelchair outside the orange tent which is her only home at the moment.
Other residents sort through piles of clothing donated by members of the public. Many of them fled their homes with only the clothes on their backs in their haste to escape the blaze which occurred on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Still others receive treatment for minor injuries as they struggle to come to terms with the incident.
Salawati Zakaria was in her hometown of Sungkai, Perak, when the blast occurred. She and her family hurried back after receiving a call from a neighbour who told them that their car and rented house had been destroyed.
Selangor crown prince Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (left) visits the family of Mohd Nasir Abdul Hamid, who also lost their home in the blaze.
Nabila Johar, who suffered burns on her arms, arranges her possessions in her tent.
A family gathers in their temporary home to mark the third day of Hari Raya.
A few containers of Hari Raya snacks are all that this family has to remind them of the occasion.
