27/05/2025

TUESDAY | MAY 27, 2025

5

Company boosts enforcement amid pipeline safety concerns

Malacca to improve road lighting

MALACCA: The state government is identifying accident-prone “blackspot” areas, particularly in rural locations, as part of efforts to prevent recurring road crashes in Malacca. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said statistics by the state police Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department showed that 68 fatal road collisions and 7,871 road crashes were recorded from January to April. “The state government will improve the lighting in the affected areas to improve the safety of road users,“ he said at the state administration’s monthly assembly at the Malacca International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh yesterday. He said 131 cases of housebreaking and 16 cases of child abuse were recorded during the same period. He also said Mobile Road Block operations in targeted areas, as well as the Integrated Crime Prevention Operation, which involves the cooperation of other enforcement agencies, are being carried out to increase the effectiveness of monitoring and control in high-risk areas. This has resulted in the arrest of 73 suspects in 58 housebreaking cases, he added. Ab Rauf said the state government is committed to strengthening the education sector through various programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of learning and facilities at all levels. “The federal government has approved projects to renovate and upgrade 25 schools in Malacca. The projects will be implemented in stages.” – Bernama Murder case of Amoi transferred to High Court KUCHING: The Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the case involving an e-hailing driver charged with the murder of Nurul Asikin Lan in December last year be transferred to the Kuching High Court. DPP Jean Siow Chung Hwei applied for the case to be transferred to the High Court as the accused is charged under Section 320 of the Penal Code. The prosecution informed the court that it had received the DNA and post-mortem reports on the 28-year-old victim, as well as extracted WhatsApp message content relevant to the case. Zakwan Mokhtar, 23, who was unrepresented, is charged with causing the death of Nurul Asikin, better known as Amoi, whose decomposed body was found in a drain along Jalan Setia Raja in Tabuan on Dec 14 last year. Previously, media reports quoted Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata as saying the suspect had allegedly confessed to murdering the victim out of desperation for money to attend a football match. – Bernama

underground pipeline integrity and addressing issues requiring physical or technical intervention. The Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) pipeline system is monitored 24/7 through a centralised control centre in Segamat, Johor. The system features an Online Leak Detection System designed to detect potential gas leaks in real-time. In emergencies such as gas leaks or explosions, PGB said it has an Incident Action Plan that involves coordination with state-level authorities. Zairil said Penang’s main PGU pipeline stretches about 42km from the Sungai Kerian border near Parit Buntar to Sungai Muda, with a 23km lateral line supplying gas to key power stations in Prai and Gelugor. He added that according to the department, there are 34 active major hazard installations in Penang involving high-risk operations, underscoring the importance of stringent pipeline safety measures. PGB confirmed that signboards mark pipeline presence along the ROW but there are no public maps or digital tracking tools available to the public.

near these zones.” He said the Occupational Safety and Health Department conducts annual safety audits on pipeline operators in Penang. These audits cover integrity management, operations, maintenance and technical inspections, such as hydrostatic and pneumatic tests for pipelines applying for a Permit to Operate. The department also carries out surprise checks on pipelines without a permit and issues compliance orders where necessary, he said. To maintain pipeline integrity, PGB employs a combination of drone surveillance, ground patrols and continuous remote monitoring. The frequency of drone surveillance and the number of drones deployed depends on the terrain and size of the monitoring area. “Larger or more segmented areas may require multiple drones operating in parallel to ensure efficient coverage and timely data collection,” said PGB. Its ground inspections allow for close-up assessments, verifying

o ‘Local authorities could take action against developers, such as issuing stop-work orders’

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

authorities requires comments and feedback from neighbouring lots. “PGB could oppose the development if it poses potential safety issues, or provide no objection to the development subject to the developer fulfilling the requirements imposed by local authorities and PGB’s specific requirements in safeguarding our assets.” It said illegal construction or development within the pipeline buffer zones is promptly reported to police. On May 19 during the Penang legislative assembly, Zairil confirmed that drone surveillance and ground patrols are carried out once or twice a week to monitor pipeline buffer zones. “The main concern is preventing intrusion into the pipeline ROW buffer zones, which are designed to maintain a safe distance from residential areas. There are clear guidelines regulating development multiple agencies due to the mixed waste types that are managed by entities such as Indah Water Konsortium, the Environment Department, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board and SWCorp. Extinguishing such fires is complex, often requiring excavators and vast amounts of water pumped from rivers kilometres away. “We use the ‘dig up and extinguish’ method. But the department does not own heavy machinery, so we rely on other agencies. If none are available, we have to wait, although the fire does not.” The department leads operations for the first 48 hours, then the responsibility shifts to local authorities. If the fire persists, the department may assist further on a paid basis, unless public safety is at risk. “Many people do not know this. The fire department is not a free service that can be deployed at all times. There are limits and a legal framework,” said Farhan. He said burning materials, such as

GEORGE TOWN: Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) has warned that non-compliance by developers near its pipeline Right of Way (ROW) zones would face strict consequences. It said local authorities could take appropriate enforcement actions, such as issuing stop-work orders, and PGB itself could impose similar measures if its ROW is compromised. “If persistent, PGB could charge and take action against the developer for trespassing in accordance with internal encroachment procedures, including legal action,” it said in a reply to state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari on Friday. PGB explained that part of the planning approval or development order submission process to local

Toxic fumes pose danger to firefighters KOTA BHARU: Firefighters often risk their lives in rescue operations, including addressing fires at waste disposal sites, one of the most hazardous duties due to invisible threats such as toxic fumes. In Kelantan, unlike other eliminate immediate hazards, such as fire, so that relevant authorities can enter and manage the disaster.” He stressed that waste site fires are not just fire incidents but “systemic disasters” involving

Peninsular Malaysia states, residents dispose of waste directly at centralised sites designated by local authorities. These sites frequently receive all types of waste, including hazardous materials, increasing the risk of fires and toxic emissions. According to the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department, there were 1,827 open burning cases in the state last year, with 207 involving garbage sites. “When a fire breaks out, it is hard to detect it. We are talking about smouldering fires beneath the surface that could spread without warning. That is the most dangerous type,” said Kelantan department director Farhan Sufyan Borhan. Despite the risk of inhaling toxic gases, the department is always the first to respond to such fires. Under National Security Council Directive No. 20, the department is the first responder for chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosive incidents. “Our team’s role is to first

Under National Security Council Directive No. 20, the fire department is the first responder for chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosive incidents. – PIC BY FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

tyres and plastic, release toxins that can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting and even long-term health effects. “If the toxicity is too high, we

need to bring in the department’s special hazmat (hazardous material) unit but not every dumpsite fire requires their involvement.” – Bernama

Manager loses RM695,000 in investment scam KUANTAN: An insurance agency manager lost RM695,000 after being duped by a fraudulent investment scheme promoted through Facebook last month. old woman was asked to download an app and register by providing her personal information before making an initial investment of RM5,000.

He added that the victim suspected she had been scammed. She lodged a police report at the Bentong district police headquarters yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – Bernama

transactions using her personal savings and funds borrowed from friends. “When she attempted to withdraw the full amount of capital and profits on Friday, she was unable to do so.”

“She later received a so-called profit of RM900, which convinced her to continue investing. She made 22

Pahang deputy police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said the 60-year