02/07/2025

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Call for independent probe into Petronas over blast

No negligence, sabotage in pipeline explosion: Police SHAH ALAM: Police have classified the gas pipeline explosion incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 1 as No Further Action following criminal investigations that found no elements of negligence or sabotage. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the case could be reopened if new evidence or information emerges. “We are satisfied and closing the case for now, but it could be reopened at any time should there be new information.” He was speaking after a press conference on the Selangor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department’s success at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday. He welcomed anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and share it with police. On Monday, Hussein confirmed that there were no elements of sabotage, foul play or negligence identified that could have caused damage to the gas pipeline and triggered the explosion. According to him, this conclusion was based on technical investigations conducted following the explosion of the underground gas pipeline. He said the construction of shop lots and replacement of sewer pipes in the area complied with guidelines set by the Subang Jaya City Council, the Environment Department and Petronas. – Bernama Penan natives arrested while protesting logging MIRI: Anti-logging protests in the remote forests of Sarawak’s Baram region escalated into physical confrontation when forestry enforcement teams swooped into human blockades set up by ethnic Penan natives defending their ancestral lands. Two individuals in the Long Tepen settlement were arrested and remanded for allegedly confronting the officers. The protestors claimed that the forestry officials started the physical arrests. Penan community association Keruan head Komeok Joe described the arrests as an abuse of the people’s human rights. “The Penans in Long Tepen and elsewhere in the forests have been subjected to victimisation by timber giants whose logging has destroyed ancient native customary forests. “We have lodged police reports against the logging operators who trespassed into our forests and chopped down big areas of trees,” he told theSun yesterday. Sarawak native land rights lawyer Roland Engan said the protests are taking place out of desperation. “They are defending their forests using physical blockades as their appeals to state authorities have been repeatedly ignored. “The forestry enforcement people must not intimidate the natives who are merely defending their forests,“ he said. The anti-logging protests in Sarawak have escalated over the past few months, especially in Baram and Marudi districts. Human blockades have been set up in the Telang Usan and Tutoh Apoh regions. The Penan are original inhabitants of Sarawak, with most still living in the forests. However, huge tracts in the northern interiors have been taken over by timber firms for logging. Ű BY JOSEPH PETER

o Environmental watchdog questions how 24cm soil subsidence went unnoticed

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Environmental watchdog RimbaWatch has urged the Selangor government to launch an independent inquiry into Petronas Gas Berhad and several government agencies following the April 1 gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, which injured 145 people and damaged over 200 homes. The call comes after a report by the Occupational Safety and Health Department concluded that the blast was caused by unstable soil and groundwater accumulation, leading to 24.3cm of soil subsidence over 25 years. The report, released on Monday, found no evidence of negligence. RimbaWatch has challenged this conclusion, arguing that Malaysian law defines negligence as the failure to exercise reasonable care, particularly when such failure results in harm. “Given this definition, a number of questions remain unanswered,” the group said in a statement. Citing the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984 and Gas Supply Act 1993, RimbaWatch stressed that pipeline operators may bear civil or criminal liability if faults in design, monitoring or maintenance are found. It said Petronas has consistently promoted its pipeline infrastructure as long-lasting and monitored using advanced systems, including aerial and ground patrols, and real-time technologies such as Scada and PiriGIS. Given these capabilities, RimbaWatch questioned how such significant soil movement went unnoticed. It pointed out that environmental impact assessments (EIA) have been mandatory since 1988 and questioned whether the original EIA for the pipeline, laid in 2000, adequately accounted for long-term geological risks, such as groundwater buildup and subsidence. “Who approved the EIA and who was responsible for monitoring its implementation over the years?”

RimbaWatch also called for scrutiny of government agencies involved in land-use planning, asking how approval was given to build dense housing near a major gas pipeline. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

(RM125.82 million) fine for the operator. “We call for the Selangor government to commission an independent investigation, supported by local, regional and international experts in engineering, health and safety, geology, and law, to address these critical questions and uphold economic and environmental justice for the residents of Putra Heights,” it said. RimbaWatch stressed that such a probe must be independent, warning that fossil fuel companies and regulators should not be allowed to escape potential responsibility for a disaster of this magnitude. At a press conference on Monday, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said investigations into the gas pipeline explosion at Putra Heights concluded that the incident was not caused by sabotage or negligence but rather by long-term ground subsidence. He also said police found no evidence of sabotage or negligence contributing to the incident. The investigation was led by the Occupational Safety and Health Department, alongside the Minerals and Geoscience Department, Public Works Department, Fire and Rescue Department and police. Amirudin Shari said the government would engage legal and technical experts to develop a new policy framework aimed at preventing future incidents such as the gas pipeline fire that occurred in Putra Heights three months ago. He said the move is part of a learning process and a necessary follow-up action in response to the incident. “This is one of the terms of reference, or duties, of that special committee, which will look into legal frameworks that can be enforced. “The legal aspects could take various forms. It could be by-laws, new terms and conditions under the One-Stop Centre, state enactments or even federal-level legislation.” He was speaking after witnessing the signing of two memoranda of cooperation with strategic partners, namely Universiti Selangor, the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre and Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd, yesterday to strengthen efforts in developing the state’s water industry ecosystem. – Bernama

It also highlighted a history of pipeline failures, particularly the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline, which has reportedly experienced explosions and leaks since 2014 and was decommissioned earlier this year due to persistent maintenance problems. “This raises serious doubts about whether Petronas has put in place more stringent monitoring of high-risk pipeline sections, particularly after its experience with the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline.” RimbaWatch also called for scrutiny of government agencies involved in land-use planning, questioning how approval was given to build dense housing near a major gas pipeline. The organisation warned that framing the disaster as purely environmental, with no accountability assigned, reflects a broader trend in Malaysia’s response to environmental disasters. It cited the 2022 Kampung Iboi floods and Batang Kali landslide as examples in which systemic accountability was lacking. To underscore its point, RimbaWatch referred to the 2018 Revolution Pipeline explosion in Pennsylvania, which was similarly triggered by a landslide but resulted in nine criminal charges and a US$30 million

Gas supply restored for Putra Heights residents KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Putra Heights affected by the April 1 gas pipeline fire breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as stable gas supply began to be restored through temporary piping. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Department, a temporary gas pipeline measuring about 210m long has been installed to replace the pipe damaged in the incident. “Soil improvement and stabilisation were carried out at the site using a bridge foundation support structure measuring about 8m by 100m to provide stronger support for the pipeline,” it said in a statement yesterday. 200m long, at the affected sites. These pipes would be laid on concrete slab structures to ensure long-term safety and durability. “The engineering design for this phase is being finalised, with operations expected to commence in the third quarter of next year,” it said. In addition, several geotechnical studies, including soil mapping, rock layer analysis and ground movement monitoring, have been conducted to ensure the overall stability of the installation site.

Petronas has also been instructed to provide real-time monitoring access to the pipe isolation valve system, enabling rapid closure in the event of an emergency. The department said all work would be closely monitored and conducted impartially to safeguard the safety of workers, residents and nearby businesses. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri

To ensure maximum safety, several stringent tests were conducted, including non-destructive testing on welded joints and a 24-hour pressure test. It said test results confirmed by the department and an independent third party showed no leakage or pressure drop. It added that Phase Two of the project would involve replacing three gas pipelines, each about