SEBERANG PRAI: The Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) has vowed to take stern action against illegal structures built on gas pipeline reserve land to prevent an incident like the Putra Heights fire.

Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said, so far, they had not approved any structures along gas pipeline reserve land in Seberang Prai.

He said this was particularly in areas with high population density near the pipelines or other utilities that were above or below ground.

"The MBSP takes the safety issues related to utility routes such as gas pipelines very seriously," he told the New Straits Times.

Elaborating, Baderul Amin said previously, there was a temple on the gas pipeline land. "The structure has been ordered to be demolished and the action has been carried out," he added.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow called for the implementation of stricter enforcement measures concerning gas pipeline safety, particularly in industrial zones across the state.

Chow said state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye had instructed the MBSP to intensify monitoring of gas pipelines on the mainland, which were more concentrated than on the island.

He said given the severity of the recent event, the state government had recognised the urgent need for robust enforcement.

Baderul Amin said any form of development must first obtain approval from the local authority through planning plans (PKM) and related technical plans.

"The gas pipeline reserve land or utility routes should also be fenced to prevent trespassing, misuse or unauthorised constructions," he said.

He said among the actions implemented or proposed included the utility companies managing high-risk routes to conduct regular monitoring, including periodic risk assessments and safety audits of the routes, structures and physical conditions at their respective sites.

"The monitoring reports must be submitted to the MBSP for record-keeping and shared with the local authorities, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and other relevant safety agencies.

"The use of modern technology such as drones, closed-circuit television (CCTV) and sensors is highly encouraged to ensure that continuous monitoring can be carried out more effectively," he said.

He said periodic joint inspections between utility companies and technical agencies, such as PBT, DOSH, Fire and Rescue Department, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Telekom, Public Works Department and others should also be conducted to ensure safety and technical compliance are always up-to-date.

On April 1, a massive fire broke out at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, causing widespread panic as flames shot up in the air.

The heat from the flames — felt from kilometres away — had melted vehicles and plastic objects within a wide radius of the pipeline.

Damage to homes affected by the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire was estimated at RM65.4 million, including the cost of wiring repairs.

Inspections were carried out on 437 homes, which had been categorised as completely destroyed, partially damaged, or affected but not burnt.