Latest news with #PetronasGasBerhad
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Selangor MB clarifies Putra Heights gas explosion not caused by excavation
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Assembly was informed that the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights on April 1 was not triggered by excavation activities. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that investigations by authorities confirmed no link between groundworks and the incident. Amirudin clarified that the monsoon drain construction and residential development in the area occurred between 2008 and 2009, predating the establishment of the One-Stop Centre in 2010. He dismissed claims of unauthorised construction near Petronas Gas Berhad's reserve, confirming the developer had obtained formal approval and adhered to safety conditions. Addressing allegations of insufficient buffer zone compliance, he noted that while Petronas requires a 60-foot buffer, the approved zone in Putra Heights was 66 feet. The explosion was attributed to weak soil conditions beneath the pipeline, as revealed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Repair and reconstruction efforts for affected homes are progressing ahead of schedule. In Taman Putra Harmoni, three houses will be rebuilt, 46 repaired, and another 46 under structural review. Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru will see 11 homes rebuilt and six repaired. Residents have until October 27 to submit claims, with the Subang Jaya City Council facilitating the process. Amirudin also proposed increasing the repair cost ceiling from RM30,000 to RM60,000 to cover roofing and fittings. - Bernama
Malaysiakini
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Call for collective accountability in Putra Heights
LETTER | As a union leader representing millions of hardworking Malaysians, including several victims of the recent pipeline incident in Putra Heights, I feel compelled to speak out. Not for politics. Not for drama. But for fairness, justice, and the human cost behind every headline. The explosion in Putra Heights should not be seen as just an infrastructure failure - It was a tragedy that tore through homes, hopes, and the quiet dignity of retirement and family life. Among the affected were men and women who once clocked in daily to build this nation - workers, some of whom are union members, now left with nothing but uncertainty. To these victims, I extend my deepest empathy. But empathy must be matched with action. I call on all employers, whether public or private, whose staff were affected, to step forward. Financial assistance, paid leave flexibility, and access to counselling should not be optional. These are not mere benefits, but a show of humanity. The trauma endured, physical and psychological, is profound. And no employee should have to carry that alone. To the credit of Petronas, I acknowledge their early and consistent efforts in medical aid, housing assistance, and community engagement, which I had only just discovered. The assistance that they had extended was never told. As someone who has often been critical of large corporations when needed, I say this without bias - Petronas has acted with a sense of corporate duty that goes beyond the usual playbook. Their CSR support, proactive safety reinforcements, and willingness to face the media and public deserve recognition. From conversations with several residents, one recurring frustration stands out: many of them were unaware that a high-pressure gas pipeline ran just metres from their homes, at the time they bought their houses. Understandably, homeowners believe they deserve access to such vital information at the point of purchase, not only to make informed decisions but also to prepare themselves and their families for potential risks. After all, the pipeline had existed for decades prior to the development. This concern raises an important and wider question: when critical infrastructure, whether pipelines, electrical substations, high-voltage transmission lines, rail corridors, water treatment facilities, or telecommunication towers, exists or is planned near residential areas, what safeguards are in place to ensure future homeowners are fully informed? If no legal obligation exists to disclose such proximity, perhaps it's time for policymakers to revisit this gap. In situations like Putra Heights, affected residents are not merely seeking compensation; they are calling for dignity, transparency, and acknowledgement. While Petronas Gas Berhad has stepped forward with meaningful support, there is also hope that other parties involved will do the same. Not out of blame, but out of shared commitment to those whose lives have been disrupted. Ethics and empathy, not just compliance, must guide the way forward. I also urge agencies like Socso to consider a special support scheme for workers who have lost homes or suffer trauma from such incidents – these are not ordinary situations and need an extraordinary response. Financial institutions, too, should step up with interest-free moratoriums or flexible loan restructuring for affected homeowners. This is a moment for real compassion and shared responsibility, not just policy compliance. We must ask how a high-density housing project was ever approved so close to critical infrastructure without a clear buffer zone or transparent urban planning. The official inquiry's vague attribution to 'soil movement' offers little clarity - it neither identifies a root cause nor assigns responsibility. What led to the soil softening? Were proper geotechnical tests done before the pipeline was laid? How much did past and recent development works contribute to land instability? These questions remain unanswered. Without them, public trust will remain fragile, and future planning risks repeating the same oversight. Meanwhile, some politicians have seized the moment, calling for Petronas to be held solely accountable. While it may earn them applause from the gallery, such one-dimensional blame is both unjust and misleading. We cannot allow this tragedy to be reduced to a scapegoating exercise. The narrative must evolve from 'Who can we blame?' to 'What can we do, together, to help the communities impacted move on?' This is not about absolving anyone. If Petronas is found at fault for any operational misstep, so be it - let the consequences follow. But let us not shield other potentially responsible parties by focusing blame too narrowly. We are entering an era where critical infrastructure and residential zones are increasingly entangled. Urban resilience can no longer be the sole burden of utility operators. Developers, local councils, planners, regulators - all must be part of a holistic risk framework. The residents of Putra Heights, including many workers and retirees, deserve more than sympathy. They deserve answers. And they deserve action. From everyone. Because if this tragedy is buried under bureaucracy and finger-pointing, the next one may already be in the making. SHAFIE BP MAMMAL is president of UNI Malaysia Labour Centre. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Earning trust by ensuring accountability
SELANGOR Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has dismissed calls for a new investigation into the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire. He has pledged 'no cover-ups' and announced a briefing for lawmakers today, stating the full report will be released once cleared. The MB has been quoted as saying: 'Those who are unhappy can review the report themselves and identify who was responsible. It provides a picture of the responsible parties.' From my perspective, for communities along Malaysia's 2,600km gas pipeline network, the core expectation is clear: We need the investigation report published ASAP, intact and made public online, directly identifying who is accountable. It is my firm view that the onus should be on the investigation team to outline responsibility without ambiguity, not to leave the public to piece together who is at fault. This is a fundamental public expectation for transparency and rebuilding trust. Key unanswered questions The intense blaze, attributed to unstable ground, prompts crucial inquiries into the performance of established safety protocols. Reports now point to unstable ground as a direct cause. Significantly, soon after the incident, on April 3, Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) issued a statement reaffirming its 'unwavering commitment to public safety'. PGB specifically emphasised its adherence to international standards and robust asset integrity management programmes, highlighting its external monitoring efforts which include 'regular soil and slope movement monitoring by competent and qualified personnel'. Given PGB's explicit assurance about its capabilities in soil and slope movement monitoring, urgent questions persist for the public and I believe the report must definitively address them, especially concerning any potential shortcomings: Soil monitoring: Did PGB's advanced soil monitoring systems detect early warnings of instability in the area? If so, what immediate actions were taken to prevent the rupture? Did the system fail to detect, or were warnings missed? Timely shut-down (automatic vs manual): The fire burned for a prolonged period. Why? Automatic shut-off: Did automatic shut- off systems, like SCADA/PLDS, designed for rapid response to major leaks, activate as expected at the site or upstream or were there delays? Operational empowerment: Were operational teams on duty empowered to manually shut off the gas immediately as part of emergency protocol? Was there any delay in gathering decision-makers, potentially impacting response time? Buffer zone assumptions: This incident highlights what I see as a critical question: whether current pipeline 'buffer zones' – distances assumed safe based on automatic shut-off valves closing almost instantaneously – are truly adequate if gas flow is prolonged. Understanding how these safeguards performed and how human intervention played a role is vital for ensuring quick containment. Lessons from past disasters History, tragically exemplified by the 1988 Piper Alpha oil platform disaster where 167 lives were lost due to continued fuel flow, starkly shows the cost of delayed isolation. While circumstances differ, the principle remains that rapid and decisive action to cut off fuel is paramount. This event, in my opinion, underscores the urgent need to re-evaluate pipeline 'buffer zones' against real-world scenarios, not just ideal-case assumptions of instant shutoff. For communities living near these pipelines, confidence in infrastructure safety is paramount. I believe clear, understandable answers on how our crucial safety technology functioned and how human protocols were executed in preventing a prolonged fire are essential to building this confidence. Any lessons learned from this incident, including those pertaining to reinforcing and enhancing existing safeguards, must be openly shared. If the full report lacks clarity on these vital operational questions, I strongly advocate that a separate, independent review by neutral experts should be considered to ensure full public confidence. Our collective well-being is paramount. To uphold public trust and ensure the safety of all communities, I believe the complete findings of this investigation must be transparently revealed, outlining accountability and addressing all ambiguities. This includes conclusive evidence regarding the performance of soil monitoring systems, the timeliness of gas shut-off mechanisms and the roles of operational teams, leaving no room for speculation about potential negligence. Only through such comprehensive disclosure can confidence be restored and future incidents prevented.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Call for independent probe into Petronas over blast
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?' 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 (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.
Daily Express
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
New Labuan gas power plant
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 Text Size: The remaining 60 per cent will be held by Petronas Gas Berhad's subsidiary PG Energia Sdn Bhd. The project will be financed through a combination of internally generated funds and external financing. Petronas Gas has a Bursa market capitalisation of around RM34.1 billion. - Pic for illustration only Kota Kinabalu: Labuan's energy security outlook is set to improve by 2028 with the setting up of a new gas power plant to generate up to 120MW of electricity that will keep up with the industrialization progress of the island, now partly dependent on power supply from the mainland. Labuan has its Gas Terminal 1 (LGAST 1) and Gas Terminal 2 (LGAST 2). As Labuan is a Federal Territory, the Federal Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation on Feb 21 approved the setting up of the power plant under a joint venture company known as Rancha Power Sdn Bhd with Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd's subsidiary SEC Power Sdn Bhd holding 20 per cent shares, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd's subsidiary Sustainable Power Sdn Bhd holding another 20 per cent shares. Advertisement The remaining 60 per cent will be held by Petronas Gas Berhad's subsidiary PG Energia Sdn Bhd. The project will be financed through a combination of internally generated funds and external financing. Petronas Gas has a Bursa market capitalisation of around RM34.1 billion. Rancha Power Sdn Bhd, will be responsible for the design, construction, installation, testing, commissioning, ownership, operation, and maintenance of the power plant and its associated facilities, using Sabah's gas resources. Sabah is one of the largest gas producing states in Malaysia. As a distributor of Sabah's gas, Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd is one of Sabah's profitable GLCs. Sabah contributes nearly 20 per cent of Malaysia's gas production with over 11.6 trillion standard cubic feet, a measurement unit that quantifies large volumes of natural gas. This term is often utilized in energy production and consumption statistics. of natural gas reserve with high potential for monetisation and power generation purposes. Based on the Sabah Gas Masterplan, Petronas has identified 6.8 trillion standard cubic feet of gas in the West Coast of Sabah potentially available for monetisation from 2020 to 2040, subject to technical and commercial viability. Of the 6.8 trillion standard cubic feet of gas identified, 62 per cent or 4.2 trillion standard cubic feet of gas is committed for existing power generation and petrochemical plants across Sabah, while 2.6 trillion standard cubic feet is available for new industries and power plants. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
