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PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Gas line jitters
- Admin UKK
- Berita
PETALING JAYA: The massive blaze in Putra Heights on Tuesday has heightened fears among Klang Valley residents, particularly those living near gas pipelines.
The large fire that erupted along a Petronas gas pipeline affected 364 people from 74 families and damaged 237 houses and 225 vehicles in the residential area.
The flames from the fire were exceptionally high, with the orange glow visible from several kilometres away.
At Koi Prima, a high-rise condominium complex in Jalan Pinggiran Mas, Puchong, residents are worried about a similar gas pipeline located close to their homes.
Residents of the complex, which consists of 1,008 residential units, now fear for their safety following the tragic incident in Putra Heights located less than 14km away.
Gugan Ravi, 34, the general manager of a building maintenance company who lives in Koi Prima, expressed concern over the safety risks posed by the pipeline, which was laid last year.
“The gas pipeline is about 20m to 30m from our residence, with the valve station located about 100m away,” he told the Sun.
“We are worried about our safety and traumatised even by the sound of thunderstorms,” said Gugan.
He added that residents heard, at odd hours in February, sounds akin to gas being released, raising fears of potential gas leaks or malfunctions.
Gugan said further compounding their worries is the ongoing construction of another high-rise condominium within a 200m radius of the valve station, which would increase population density and raise additional safety questions.
He claimed residents had not been informed by the authorities or the property management company about the proximity of the pipeline or the safety measures in place.
“The integrity of our building is now a major concern. New and existing tenants alike remain unaware of emergency protocols and inspections necessary to ensure safety.
“Our priority as residents is safety. Living near a gas pipeline requires strict safety measures and regular monitoring.”
Gugan urged the authorities and the gas company to ensure proper safety protocols, including regular inspections, maintenance schedules and emergency response plans.
Another resident, Nagarajan Subramaniam, 43, emphasised that the gas distribution station, constructed last year, has been a major source of anxiety.
“Since last year, when they started the distribution station construction, we have been very concerned about the safety of our residents.
“Apart from the fire hazard, we are also disturbed by the maintenance work being carried out at night.”
He added that initially, residents were told that this would only take place during the commissioning stage, but continued nighttime activities and loud noises have left many frustrated and uneasy.
He said a lack of communication has also left many feeling vulnerable and uncertain about potential risks.
“The only visible pipeline marking is along the main road near Taman Mas.
“What we learnt from the Putra Heights incident is that pressure on the gas pipeline likely caused a weak point to burst, leading to the fire. Considering the situation around our condo, we are very worried.”
Another concern is the presence of heavy vehicles passing near the condominium to a construction site nearby, which could put additional stress on the gas pipeline and the structural integrity of the buildings.
In addition, illegal dumping in the vicinity raises yet another safety issue, as the proximity of waste disposal to the pipeline could lead to unforeseen hazards.
“Authorities should provide clear information about the location and construction of pipelines. To prevent incidents, regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial,” Nagarajan said.
As fears grow, Koi Prima residents are urging authorities and gas pipeline operators to take immediate action and implement safety measures to prevent untoward incidents.
SINGAPURA: Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura (SAF) mengerahkan dua pesawat pengangkut C-130 milik Tentera Udara Singapura (RSAF) untuk menghantar lebih sembilan tan bekalan bantuan kemanusiaan ke Myanmar susulan gempa bumi baru-baru ini.
Kementerian Pertahanan Singapura (Mindef) dalam satu kenyataan memaklumkan bahawa bantuan itu disumbangkan oleh Pusat Penyelarasan ASEAN bagi Bantuan Kemanusiaan dalam Pengurusan Bencana (AHA Centre), manakala misi penghantaran diselaraskan oleh Pusat Penyelarasan Bantuan Bencana dan Sokongan Kemanusiaan Serantau Changi (Changi RHCC).
Menurut kenyataan itu, penghantaran bantuan berkenaan mencerminkan komitmen Singapura dalam menyokong usaha bantuan bencana di peringkat serantau.
Pengarah Changi RHCC Kolonel Fredie Tan berkata pihaknya bersama SAF kekal komited dalam menyokong operasi bantuan kemanusiaan dan bencana bagi memastikan bantuan yang diperlukan dapat disalurkan kepada rakyat Myanmar.
"Kami akan terus bekerjasama rapat dengan organisasi antara kerajaan seperti AHA Centre bagi memastikan tindak balas yang diselaraskan dan berkesan," katanya dalam kenyataan itu.
Gempa bumi berukuran 7.7 pada skala Richter yang melanda Myanmar pada Jumaat lalu telah menyebabkan kemusnahan besar dan jumlah korban kini melebihi 2,800 orang, menurut laporan.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR: The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) yesterday rescued a man who had been trapped for 72 hours under rubble following the devastating earthquake in Sagaing, Myanmar.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today confirmed the successful rescue undertaken by the MAS-01 team.
He said the rescuers located the survivor, believed to be in his 40s, at 2pm yesterday beneath the ruins of a residential building along the Sagaing-Ta Da U road.
"SMART detected the survivor using specialised equipment. With the cooperation of local firefighters, they managed to extract him at 2.27pm.
"He was immediately transported by ambulance to the hospital for further treatment," he said in a statement.
The earthquake has so far claimed almost 3,000 lives, with many others still trapped and reported missing.
Zahid described the discovery as "a miracle," given that the victim had been trapped for more than three days.
The rescue mission also uncovered four bodies of victims who perished in the disaster, he said.
Zahid conveyed the Malaysian government's sympathy to the families of those affected.
"On behalf of the Malaysian government, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We pray that they find strength and resilience during this extremely difficult time."
Zahid also commended the dedication of SMART personnel, acknowledging the sacrifices they made to serve during the Aidilfitri celebrations.
"I extend my highest appreciation to the SMART team who willingly put duty before personal time with their families. This sacrifice is invaluable and reflects Malaysia's unwavering commitment to assisting the global community in times of crisis."
The government, he said, would continue monitoring the situation closely.
"The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), alongside relevant agencies, will ensure that all necessary aid is delivered efficiently. Malaysia remains steadfast in its commitment to assisting our neighbours in times of need," he said.
Sagaing was one of the hardest-hit areas in Myanmar, where the earthquake caused widespread destruction and loss of lives.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as teams race against time to locate more survivors.
MYANMAR'S deadliest natural disaster in years has strengthened the position of ruling general Min Aung Hlaing, by opening diplomatic channels closed for four years after his junta ousted an elected government to unleash a brutal civil war.
Just before Friday's quake of magnitude 7.7 that killed almost 2,900 people, the junta chief was readying for a rare foreign visit to a regional summit in Thailand, as aides worked the phones to arrange meetings with other leaders.
It is still unclear if Min Aung Hlaing will attend the BIMSTEC grouping's summit in Bangkok this week, but the disaster has helped end his isolation by most world leaders over a war that displaced 3.5 million and decimated the economy.
"The junta knows that regional powers jostling for influence in Myanmar, like India, China, and Russia would want to use this opportunity to strengthen their own toehold in the country," said Angshuman Choudhury, an analyst based in Singapore.
"By publicly and directly engaging with regional capitals, it can demonstrate its supposed indispensability as Myanmar's primary public authority."
In the past week, Min Aung Hlaing has spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - conversations that have led to a flurry of international aid.
Just weeks after the junta reaffirmed plans for a general election in December, one of the impoverished nation's strongest earthquakes in a century has opened a new window for its leader to engage with regional powers.
The junta had steadily lost ground in the conflict sparked by the 2021 coup, suffering a string of battlefield defeats and piling unprecedented pressure on Min Aung Hlaing himself.
Key allies such as China have backstopped the junta, with efforts such as pushing major anti-junta groups to stop fighting, but even Beijing had not entirely embraced the embattled general.
He did not get an audience with Xi when he visited China in November for the first time since the coup, for example.
But during a state visit to Moscow last month, Min Aung Hlaing held court with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, one of his earliest backers after the coup.
"I would think he's getting like everything he ever dreamt of and more right now," said a diplomatic source in the commercial capital of Yangon, referring to the Moscow visit, the telephone call with Modi and a meeting of the Asean grouping.
"He's back in the circle. He has a seat at the table."
However, the junta is doing what it can to benefit from the crisis and deny assistance to civilians and opposition groups, said a second diplomatic source in the country.
Millions of dollars in aid, relief supplies and hundreds of rescue workers from countries such as China, India, Russia and Southeast Asia, have flooded Myanmar since the quake, though the junta keeps up military operations despite ceasefire calls.
The junta could exploit the crisis to strengthen its position in Myanmar's battlefield, Choudhury added.
"The quake will complicate the resistance's fight and its ability to retain support from the local population."
Some regime hardliners believe the junta can continue with the help of a handful of allies, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a former Thai vice minister for foreign affairs who visited Myanmar last month.
"They see the world order as shifting, and that there is a new pole with China, Russia and India," Sihasak told Reuters.
"They think Myanmar may be able to thrive without other engagement."
If Min Aung Hlaing were to attend this week's BIMSTEC summit, he would get a further opportunity for diplomatic validation, such as more engagement with India and Thailand.
BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprises Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
"What I got from my recent trip was that Min Aung Hlaing doesn't want to be just under China only," said Sihasak.
"It is about how we can assert our own position. We should not let this opportunity to engage Myanmar slip by."
In Bangkok, the junta chief could meet Modi, who has rushed aid and personnel to Myanmar since the quake, said three sources with knowledge of discussions.
"Modi, particularly, has already indicated that he is willing to directly engage," said Choudhury, referring to the two leaders' call.
The visit may also give Min Aung Hlaing a chance to meet Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister whom Anwar appointed a personal adviser in his capacity as chairman of Asean.
Some analysts say Thailand is walking a tightrope by giving legitimacy to Min Aung Hlaing as he battles the armed resistance which has eroded his grip on Myanmar.
"There's a nasty, brutal, violent civil war," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University.
"Thailand has to be very careful because it has a long border with Myanmar and lots at stake."
* The writers are from Reuters
ISTANBUL: Junta tentera memerintah Myanmar mengumumkan gencatan senjata selama tiga minggu pada Rabu terhadap kumpulan pemberontak ekoran gempa bumi dahsyat yang meragut hampir 3,000 nyawa, lapor Anadolu Ajansi (AA).
Sebelum ini, junta menolak cadangan gencatan senjata daripada kumpulan pemberontak, yang bertujuan membolehkan operasi menyelamat dijalankan.
Dalam kenyataan yang dikeluarkan, tentera Myanmar berkata bahawa gencatan senjata yang akan berkuat kuasa sehingga 22 April itu bertujuan untuk memudahkan usaha bantuan selepas bencana.
Pengumuman dibuat selepas laporan mengenai serangan terhadap konvoi bantuan Palang Merah China pada malam Selasa ketika kempen serangan udara terhadap kumpulan pemberontak.
Junta yang merampas kuasa pada 2021 turut memberi amaran kepada kumpulan itu supaya tidak melakukan sebarang gangguan.
Pengisytiharan gencatan senjata itu dibuat menjelang lawatan ketua junta, Min Aung Hlaing, ke Bangkok, Thailand bagi menghadiri sidang kemuncak serantau.
Menurut Kementerian Luar Thailand, Min Aung Hlaing dijadual menghadiri Sidang Kemuncak Inisiatif Teluk Benggala bagi Kerjasama Teknikal dan Ekonomi Pelbagai Sektor (BIMSTEC) di Bangkok.
Lawatan itu adalah kunjungan pertamanya ke Bangkok sejak rampasan kuasa pada 2021 dan pada awalnya dijangka dibatalkan selepas Myanmar dilanda dua gempa bumi berukuran 7.7 dan 6.4 pada skala Richter pada Jumaat lalu.
Berdasarkan maklumat dari Majlis Pentadbiran Negara Myanmar, jumlah kematian akibat bencana itu telah meningkat kepada hampi 3,000 orang, dengan 4,639 lagi cedera dan 373 masih hilang.
Jurucakap Kementerian Luar Thailand Nikorndej Balankura dipetik Thai PBS sebagai berkata, 'Lawatan Min Aung Hlaing ke Sidang Kemuncak BIMSTEC keenam pada 4 April akan diteruskan'.
Bagaimanapun, tempoh keberadaan pemimpin junta itu di Bangkok tidak dinyatakan.
Sidang Kemuncak BIMSTEC yang berlangsung dari Rabu hingga Jumaat menghimpunkan tujuh negara anggota iaitu Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka dan Bhutan.