Latest news with #PutraHeights
Malay Mail
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No encroachment by developers in Putra Heights gas explosion, says Selangor MB
SHAH ALAM, July 9 — There was no encroachment involving developers or any contractors that caused the gas pipeline explosion incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 1. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the development or land excavation work by the parties concerned was carried out outside the incident site. He said a developer company carrying out sewage pipe works in the area under the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) had applied for and received permission from Petronas. 'However, Petronas has set conditions, including appointing a panel company outlined by them. The panel company conducts excavations in Petronas areas. The results of their recommendations are managed and monitored under Petronas' actions. 'So, there is no encroachment after permission. The companies (subcontractors) that are considered blacklisted have also not started work,' he said during the winding-up session under Standing Order 13 (i) concerning the gas pipeline explosion incident in Putra Heights during the Selangor State Assembly sitting today. Amirudin said his team had instructed MBSJ to improve the selection of contractors before the appointment was made by conducting a review through the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Meanwhile, Amirudin gave an assurance that the results of the investigation report by the Special Committee on Gas Pipeline Drainage Risk Adaptation would be brought to the next assembly sitting. Amirudin said he was also open to holding a special briefing session regarding the committee's report to all state assemblymen before the next state assembly sitting begins. 'The report (technical committee) has been brought to the Dewan and tabled. After this, the committee (Special Committee on Gas Pipeline Risk Adaptation) will investigate. 'We will bring the report (carefully), giving it enough time to review and then debate it. What is more important are the follow-up steps so that such an incident can be avoided in the future,' he said. Amirudin was reported yesterday to have said that the Selangor government had agreed to appoint two experts nominated by the opposition to form the Special Committee on Gas Pipeline Risk Adaptation to ensure transparency in the report involving the explosion incident. He said the committee, which will be made up of seven experts, would involve various agencies, including representatives of the state and federal governments, and related bodies such as Petronas to examine the results of the investigation to draft legal proposals and long-term preventive measures. — Bernama
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Putra Heights gas pipeline blast: Excavator not to blame, local council followed SOPs, says Selangor MB
SHAH ALAM, July 8 — The explosion of a gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on April 1 was not caused by an excavator carrying out digging works that led to the massive fire, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly was told today. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said investigations by the police, the Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG), and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) confirmed that the above-ground work did not impact the gas pipeline, according to a report by national news agency Bernama. He explained that the monsoon drainage pipe located above the gas pipeline remained unaffected. 'Based on my checks with the local authority, the residential area and monsoon drain construction, with a diameter of 4.2 metres, was carried out around 2008 and 2009 — before the establishment of the One-Stop Centre (OSC) in 2010,' he said during a briefing on the Putra Heights incident in the Selangor state assembly. Amirudin also refuted claims that a property developer was carrying out unauthorised construction of shop lots near a Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) easement. He said the company had in fact received approval to carry out the works on March 20, 2025. 'PGB also required the developer to comply with safety conditions outlined by Petronas during a pre-work meeting before the work permit was issued,' he added. Amirudin dismissed allegations that the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) failed to meet proper criteria when granting planning permissions involving areas under Petronas' supervision or that it compromised buffer zone requirements. He noted that while PGB mandates a 60-foot buffer zone, the designated buffer in the Putra Heights area was 66 feet —exceeding the minimum by six feet. Previously, DOSH's Petroleum Safety Division director, Husdin Che Amat stated that weak soil conditions beneath the pipeline — which failed to adequately support its structure — were the actual cause of the incident. He said investigations found that while the gas pipeline met all technical specifications, the underside of the pipe was unsupported due to soft, damp soil, leading to a vulnerable unsupported segment.
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Putra Heights gas pipeline blast: Home reconstruction, repair works progressing ahead of schedule, says Selangor MB
SHAH ALAM, July 8 — Reconstruction and repair works on homes damaged in the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion in Subang Jaya have begun and are progressing ahead of schedule, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said today. He said the positive development has seen 22 to 24 per cent of the rebuilding and repair work completed so far, involving homes in Taman Putra Harmoni and Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu, according to a report by Bernama today. 'As of now, based on assessments by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), three homes in Taman Putra Harmoni will be rebuilt, while 46 units will undergo repairs. The remaining 46 are in the final phase of structural and crack-point testing. 'In Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu, 17 homes were affected — 11 will be rebuilt, and six repaired,' he said during a briefing on the Putra Heights incident at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly today. Regarding compensation claims for house repairs, Amirudin said residents of Taman Putra Harmoni have filed claims amounting to RM458,440.50, while residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu have submitted claims totalling RM884,934 to date. He added that all affected residents have until October 27 to submit their claim documents to the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), which is facilitating the process. 'Following the assessment, the state government will propose to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to raise the repair cost ceiling from RM30,000 to RM60,000, taking into account the cost of roof tiling and the replacement of fittings such as water tanks,' he said.
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Opposition to nominate two experts for special committee on Putra Heights blast, says Selangor MB
SHAH ALAM, July 8 — The Selangor government has agreed to appoint two experts nominated by the opposition to sit on the Special Committee on Gas Pipeline Risk Adaptation to ensure transparency in the report involving the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion incident, in Subang Jaya. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the move was to enable the report that had been produced to be reviewed and any shortcomings that arose to be identified, while also mobilising efforts to ensure that those responsible are found. 'The state government is also prepared to publish the entire report. We are currently compiling it as it involves several departments. Within two weeks of the end of this assembly, I am confident that the printing will be completed. 'We will also distribute the reports in the affected areas, as well as all the assemblymen and those interested in studying this matter,' he told reporters at a special information session on the Putra Heights incident at the Selangor State Assembly here today. Previously, Amirudin was reported to have said that the Selangor government would set up a special committee to investigate the cause of the gas pipe explosion incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, which occurred on April 1 According to Amirudin, the committee, comprising seven experts, will get other various agencies involved, including representatives of the state and federal governments and related bodies such as Petronas, to review the investigation findings and draft legal proposals along with long-term preventive measures. Meanwhile, Amirudin said that the special committee has been given three months to draft relevant proposals. 'For the state government, it will definitely involve policies, local authorities to add value to related works while for the gas pipeline owners such as Petronas Gas or Gas Malaysia, to look at additional information such as factors and the surrounding area of the land as well as situations involving land issues,' he said. Amirudin also reiterated his assurance that the state government is committed to ensuring transparency in the delivery of information and will not protect or cover up any wrongdoing regarding the incident from public knowledge. — Bernama
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Selangor assembly to debate Putra Heights gas blaze, says Speaker
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — The Putra Heights gas pipeline fire incident in Subang Jaya will be debated in the current sitting of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, said Speaker Lau Weng San. He said the debate would take place after a special briefing to be delivered by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari or his representative, following the tabling of the Selangor State Islamic Religious Administration (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2025 during this sitting. 'There will be (a debate); as I mentioned earlier, after the Menteri Besar meets with all assemblymen to provide a briefing in the afternoon. '... after that, the assembly will reconvene, and all of us will take part in the debate. The government will provide clarification on the matters raised (in the debate),' he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting today. Earlier, Dr Afif Bahardin (PN-Taman Medan) submitted an appeal on behalf of 20 individuals affected by the April 1 blaze and explosion, requesting that the matter be discussed in the current sitting. Lau then disallowed the matter from being tabled as it was seen to overlap with an application already filed by Amirudin to present the matter during this sitting. 'I wish to stress that the main reason the appeal was disallowed is because there is already an application from the Menteri Besar to discuss this issue under this agenda, which will allow for greater participation from all assemblymen,' he said. The Selangor State Assembly sitting began today and will run until July 11. — Bernama
