02/04/2026

THURSDAY | APR 2, 2026

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WFH for civil servants from April 15

o Move aimed at easing pressure on national energy resources: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,501 delayed, sick and abandoned private housing projects have been revived since the establishment of the Task Force on Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects in 2023. Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the achievement involves 176,687 housing units with a gross development value of RM140.87 billion. She said of the total, 121 projects have been restored from “sick” to active status, while 1,345 projects have been completed and issued Certificates of Completion and Compliance. “In addition, 35 previously abandoned projects have been revived either through physical completion or settlements for buyers,” she told reporters after a site visit to the Residensi Hektar Gombak project yesterday. She added that for the first two months this year, 145 private housing projects were identified as delayed and 309 as “sick”, marking a significant decline from previous periods. However, 99 projects remain abandoned, with authorities currently assessing the best solutions for each case. Aiman Athirah said the government is targeting zero new abandoned housing projects by 2030 through targeted interventions by the task force. She also said three states, namely Malacca, Perlis and the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, have recorded zero abandoned projects. “This shows we are on the right track in strengthening the task force and addressing delayed, sick and abandoned housing projects. The ministry will also intensify on-site monitoring to ensure more effective intervention and progress oversight.” On the Residensi Hektar Gombak project, she said it is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with progress improving by about 20% since her last visit in November. She attributed earlier delays to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, including constraints in building materials and labour. She said contractors who repeatedly fail to complete projects would be blacklisted and face action. – Bernama Over 1,000 ‘sick’ housing projects revived president, Gulf leaders, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and my recent visit to Indonesia with President Prabowo Subianto show the situation may worsen before improving and will take much longer to recover.” energy, although Malaysia has so far stayed resilient. “When this happens, it inevitably affects global supply chains, especially energy, and Malaysia is not spared. Yet we are entering this phase with a relatively stable economy and can still maintain RON95 at RM1.99. “That is remarkable, given oil prices and supply pressures, with queues and rationing in some countries. Even if conditions ease slightly, we cannot afford complacency.” He added that the conflict’s impact has now gone global, including in Malaysia. “Discussions with Iran’s

Commission (MCMC) has detected 96 instances of fake news related to fuel and electricity prices on social media. “We have no choice but to act firmly. The authorities, including police and MCMC, will take necessary action against those spreading false information for narrow political interests.” Anwar added that the government would continue engaging with stakeholders, including small contractors, farmers and fishermen to address concerns and ensure targeted assistance reaches those most affected. He said the prolonged conflict in West Asia would take a lengthy time to recover from, but Malaysia remains in a relatively stable position to weather the challenges. He also said crisis has disrupted global supply chains, particularly in

the West Asian conflict, which has disrupted global supply chains, particularly energy. He said despite the challenges, the country remains relatively stable, supported by early interventions including controlled fuel usage, secured energy supply and coordinated planning with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), which has ensured sufficient oil and gas supply at least until May. The prime minister also announced that the Budi 95 fuel quota has been temporarily decreased to 200 litres per month from yesterday while the use of subsidised diesel in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will also be enforced immediately. He also cautioned against the spread of false information, adding that that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia

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sustainable energy supply. He said the move, agreed upon during a Cabinet meeting, is aimed at easing pressure on national energy resources amid ongoing global uncertainties. “The objective is to reduce fuel usage and ensure the sustainability of energy supply. Further details will be announced,” he said during a special briefing yesterday. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, emphasised that the government is taking proactive steps to cushion the impact of the global energy crisis through its People’s Support Initiative, adding that Putrajaya is currently spending about RM4 billion monthly to absorb rising fuel costs. Describing the situation as “extraordinary”, he said Malaysia is not immune to the spillover effects of

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will roll out a work-from-home (WFH) policy across ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies beginning April 15 to curb fuel consumption and safeguard energy supply. In a special address yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move is part of measures to reduce fuel Ű BY HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Renewed call for RCI into Putra Heights blast Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com Adam (third from right) said the disaster revealed systemic problems in Malaysia’s pipeline safety and urban planning. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN high-pressure pipelines are managed in Malaysia,.”

emergencies, and act safely, as recommended by ASME B31.8 (an international standard for gas pipeline safety),” Adam said. However, the report says PGB’s public safety information was limited to pipeline signage and a hotline. Meanwhile, questions remain about Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and monitoring responsibilities. While Malaysia’s EIA Order 1987 requires assessments for pipelines measuring over 50km, it is unclear whether EIA were conducted for PGU Phase II or the adjacent UEP Subang Jaya development. The NGOs are urging the government to establish a full RCI under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950, with powers to subpoena witnesses and documents. They also want the inquiry to specifically examine potential negligence by all parties responsible for zoning, constructing, operating and monitoring the PGU Phase II pipeline, including the Subang Jaya City Council, the Energy Commission, PGB and the Occupational Safety and Health Department. The groups further recommended clarifying the Energy Commission’s role in pipeline safety, strengthening public communication and emergency protocols, and phasing out fossil fuel energy by 2050, including a ban on new coal and gas plants from 2026. “Reducing reliance on high-pressure gas pipelines would eliminate the risk of similar disasters in the future,” Adam said.

The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) report tabled in Parliament on Oct 6, 2025 concluded the explosion was caused mainly by ground conditions rather than operational failures. It found no evidence of sabotage, excessive pressure or operator negligence. Soft, loose and waterlogged soil caused the ground to sink 24.3cm, shifting the pipeline 15.9cm and weakening a welded joint that eventually leaked gas. Despite the technical findings, the NGOs said several key issues remain unresolved. “Who approved the pipeline’s construction through areas already earmarked for residential development? The PSSC did not examine zoning decisions. “Planning documents show that the Rancangan Struktur Daerah Petaling Jaya dan Sebahagian Daerah Klang 1988–2010 specifically routed the pipeline through areas later developed for housing. “Public records indicate the alignment was known as early as 1989, two years before the pipeline began operations.” The groups said community awareness and emergency preparedness were also lacking. “Interviews with landowners and tenants show low awareness of pipeline hazards and how to respond safely. “Operators are required to clearly inform the public on how to spot gas leaks, report

SUBANG JAYA: One year after the devastating Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, three civil society groups have renewed calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), saying crucial questions remain unanswered and accountability gaps persist. The Artivist Network, Greenpeace Malaysia and RimbaWatch said official investigations failed to fully examine issues around pipeline routing, monitoring and regulatory oversight. Their renewed call follows the release of a policy brief titled “Putra Heights One Year On: Unanswered Questions Remain”. The Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) Phase II pipeline, operated by Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB), ruptured on April 1, 2025 at Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights. The explosion and fire burned for seven-and a-half hours at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C, destroying 511 homes, 360 vehicles and affecting more than 110 individuals, in addition to pets and livestock. RimbaWatch co-founder Adam Farhan said the disaster revealed systemic problems in Malaysia’s pipeline safety and urban planning. “Planning decisions allowed pipelines near residential areas, buffer zones were inadequate, community safety protocols were weak and monitoring systems appear to have failed. “This was not simply an accident; it raises serious questions about how