OFFICIAL PORTAL
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
I RECENTLY watched the much-anticipated announcement of the Putra Heights pipeline blast inquiry results. I use the word “announcement” very deliberately because that’s exactly what it was: a formality devoid of genuine engagement or any meaningful attempt to help the public understand what really happened. For those of us who tuned in hoping for clarity and closure, we were instead handed a technical monologue wrapped in bureaucratic detachment.
Let’s start with the spokesperson from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). He appeared at the podium, presumably with a prepared script in hand, and proceeded to read it out with the energy and conviction of someone reciting terms and conditions for a toaster warranty. His delivery was so saturated with jargon that unless you were a geotechnical engineer or had a PhD in pipeline integrity, you’d be completely lost. Not once did he pause to explain the implications of what he was saying in plain language. This wasn’t a briefing — it was a public relations exercise disguised as a press conference.
Now, let’s talk about the content, or the lack thereof. The results of the inquiry were, frankly, disappointing. According to DOSH, the pipeline failure was due to “movement of soil” and “soft soil conditions underneath the pipe.” This is what I call a textbook case of stating the obvious without saying anything useful. When pressed by journalists to explain what caused this mysterious soil softening — rainfall? leaking water pipes? adjacent construction? a cosmic fluke, perhaps? — the spokesperson side-stepped the question like a seasoned ballroom dancer.
This is precisely where the public’s frustration lies. It’s not that we can’t accept the possibility of soil movement — Malaysia is no stranger to that. It’s the evasiveness in answering the most basic follow-up question: why did the soil move? What led to the weakening of the ground? Who might be responsible for that change in condition?
To pin the entire catastrophe on “soil” without elaborating is not only intellectually lazy, but frankly, insulting. Are we to believe that soil, acting entirely on its own volition, decided one day to sink or shift just enough to rupture a gas pipeline and set off an explosion? If that’s the story, we deserve more than vague descriptions and technical mumbo jumbo. We deserve the truth!
And if the authorities won’t say it, let me venture a theory that’s been circulating among the public for months: Could it be that developments approved too close to the pipeline corridor — housing areas, shop lots, or any recent groundworks — contributed to the soil instability? The pipeline has been there for decades without issue. What has changed in recent years? If there’s been excavation, construction, drainage diversion, or soil compaction nearby, the public has every right to know. If any of these had a role in weakening the soil, then we’re looking not at an unfortunate natural occurrence, but at the consequences of poor planning and oversight.
This selective storytelling reminds me all too well of the Highland Towers tragedy back in 1993 — a national disaster that many of us still remember vividly. There too, the explanation pointed to “soil movement” and “land instability.” But it later became clear that the real issue was water — water redirected, mishandled, and neglected as part of an uphill housing project approved with little regard for environmental consequences. Eventually, that water weakened the slope, leading to the collapse of Block One and the loss of 48 lives.
That tragedy, too, was cloaked in terms like “land failure” and “hydrostatic pressure.” But behind those terms lay a failure of judgment — approvals granted without enough scrutiny, developments permitted too close to danger, and agencies that responded only after disaster struck.
The Putra Heights incident may not have claimed lives, but it could have. And the parallels are too glaring to ignore.
Once again, we have a blast, damage to homes, fear in the community — and a suspiciously tidy conclusion that avoids the real question of how development decisions intersect with safety.
If we keep closing one eye — or both — to the bigger issue of how we allow development near critical infrastructure, this won’t be the last time we see disaster linked to “soil.” Be it on highlands or in dense urban areas, the soil doesn’t just move by accident. It moves when we disturb it. It weakens when we alter its drainage, dig around it, or build on it without understanding the consequences. And those consequences don’t just affect property; they threaten lives.
So to the authorities, if you’re going to hold a press conference, make it worth the public’s time. Don’t hide behind technicalities or feed us half-truths. We’re not asking for miracles — just accountability, transparency, and answers that treat the public with the respect we deserve. – July 3, 2025
PETALING JAYA: Penduduk di Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru mendesak siasatan tragedi letupan paip gas di Putra Heights, Subang Jaya pada 1 April lalu dilakukan semula.
Menurut mereka, laporan siasatan itu dan juga keputusan tiada tindakan lanjut (NFA) kerana tiada unsur sabotaj dan jenayah berhubung tragedi tersebut sangat mengecewakan dan menimbulkan lebih banyak persoalan.
Setiausaha Pertubuhan Kebajikan Penduduk Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru (KKSB), Mohd. Badly Nordin berkata, keputusan tersebut juga menafikan hak penduduk untuk mendapatkan keadilan selepas kehilangan harta benda dan mengalami trauma mendalam.
“Ramai tercedera, kehilangan rumah dan masih trauma tetapi kami diberitahu tiada tindakan lanjut. Ini sangat mengecewakan dan seolah-olah menutup terus harapan mangsa,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia.
Tambahnya, mangsa terlibat telah melantik peguam bagi tujuan nasihat perundangan dan tindakan susulan, sekiranya masih tiada penyelesaian sewajarnya daripada pihak berkaitan.
“Kami sudah ada peguam yang bersedia membantu dari segi undang-undang, namun buat masa ini kita memberi ruang untuk proses siasatan dan keputusan selanjutnya sebelum mempertimbangkan langkah seterusnya,” katanya.
Pihak Pertubuhan Kebajikan Penduduk KKSB turut mendesak agar siasatan semula dijalankan oleh pihak penyiasat bebas, selain pendedahan penuh hasil teknikal dan forensik dilakukan bagi memberikan keyakinan kepada masyarakat.
Mereka turut menuntut perlindungan undang-undang kepada saksi dan mangsa, serta meminta penjelasan terbuka kerajaan negeri sebagai badan utama pengurusan bencana untuk menjelaskan perkara tersebut secara terperinci.
Dalam masa sama, mereka mahu kerajaan negeri jelaskan secara telus agihan bantuan pembaikan rumah agar tiada ketidakadilan antara perumahan dan kampung yang terjejas.
“Kami lihat agihan tidak seimbang. Penduduk kampung terima jauh lebih rendah. Ia benar-benar menyentuh hati mangsa yang terjejas,” ujarnya.
Justeru pihak Pertubuhan Kebajikan KKSB menyeru Perdana Menteri, wakil rakyat dan NGO bersama penduduk dalam memperjuangkan keadilan, kerana keadilan yang ditangguh adalah keadilan yang dinafikan. – UTUSAN
GAS Malaysia Bhd said that full gas supply operations have resumed at the Shah Alam and Batu Tiga City Gate stations, following the lifting of curtailments imposed after a transmission pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the utility company said it received official confirmation from its gas supplier that curtailments were lifted on July 1, 2025.
“Gas supply operations have resumed in accordance with the quantities stipulated in the respective Gas Supply Agreements with the customers,” the company said.
The restoration follows a fire incident in March that led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents and temporary disruptions in gas delivery.
On Monday, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), which led the technical investigation, concluded that the explosion was caused by weak underground support beneath a section of the pipeline.
Although the pipeline met technical specifications, DOSH said the ground in that area was soft and moist, and could not adequately bear the weight and pressure of the pipe.
“This led to a physical failure in the pipeline, eventually causing a gas leak that sparked the fire,” the agency said.
DOSH also clarified that the failure was not due to surface-level activity but stemmed from unstable subsoil conditions. — TMR
PETALING JAYA: The Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru Residents’ Welfare Association is calling on the government to revisit the probe findings on the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights and to appoint an independent body for a transparent, impartial inquiry.
Its secretary, Mohd Badly Nordin said residents were dismayed by the decision to classify the case as “no further action” (NFA), describing it as a blow to transparency and justice for the those affected.
“We are concerned by the decision to classify the case as NFA. It raises questions about the investigation process. We believe a review is necessary. The affected residents deserve clarity and accountability,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The association is calling for an independent commission of inquiry and full disclosure of technical and forensic findings related to the explosion.
It also urged authorities to guarantee legal protection for the residents and witnesses, and to ensure fair and equal distribution of aid to all affected communities, including housing estates and traditional villages.
“Those affected – whether injured, displaced or impacted by the incident – deserve clarity over what happened and whether anyone should be held accountable.”
He added that the Selangor government, which led the disaster response, should clarify how repair assistance was allocated, following concerns over unequal treatment between neighbourhoods.
He said the association will continue advocating for residents’ rights and welfare, and urged open dialogue between authorities, residents and civil society groups.
“We urge the public, elected representatives, MPs, NGOs and other relevant bodies to stand with us and those affected – many of whom are still struggling – in the pursuit of truth and justice. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
On Monday, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigations found no evidence of sabotage or negligence behind the pipeline failure and explosion.
He said police together with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health conducted a thorough three-month investigation and ruled out foul play.
Technical analysis revealed the damage had accumulated over time, not from a single event.
It was reported that the pipeline failed at a welding joint that gave way under prolonged pressure. Signs of wear pointed to long-term stress, and friction during the rupture likely produced sparks that ignited the gas.
On Tuesday, Hussein said the case had been officially classified as NFA following the outcome of the criminal investigation.
However, he said the case could be reopened if new evidence or information comes to light.
The explosion occurred in the early hours of April 1 at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, triggering a massive blaze visible from several kilometres away.
The fire and shockwave caused widespread destruction as 81 homes suffered structural damage exceeding 40%, another 81 were partially damaged and 57 were affected without fire.
A total of 218 homes were reported to be unaffected, including those in nearby Kampung Tengah, Puchong.
KOTA KINABALU – Sebuah Pusat Kawalan Bencana Negeri (SDCC) yang pertama di Malaysia telah dilancarkan oleh Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor di Menara Kinabalu, di sini pada Rabu.
Beliau berkata, SDCC yang dibiayai oleh Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) itu dibangunkan secara bersama oleh Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri.
“SDCC berfungsi sebagai platform bersepadu bagi menyelaras tindakan agensi keselamatan dan penyelamat, badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan badan penyelidikan semasa berlakunya bencana.
“SDCC juga akan memastikan tindakan yang lebih pantas dan tersusun ketika berlakunya bencana,” katanya semasa majlis perasmian SDCC tersebut.
Tambah Hajiji lagi, SDCC yang bernilai RM750,000 itu mengambil masa selama lapan bulan untuk disiapkan.
“SDCC akan dilengkapi dengan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi terkini termasuk sistem persidangan video dan pangkalan data komprehensif untuk pengumpulan dan penganalisisan maklumat berkaitan bencana,” katanya.
Turut hadir pada majlis itu ialah Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Datuk Ariffin Arif; Timbalan Ketua Pengarah NADMA, Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar; Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Seri Safar Untong; Pesuruhjaya Polis Sabah, Datuk Jauteh Dikun; Setiausaha Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri dan Penyelidikan Negeri, Datuk Ag Shahminan Ag Sahari selaku sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri; dan Pengarah Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) Sabah, Mohd Yusoff Samad.