Putra Heights Pipeline Report a Blast from the Past?

The investigation into the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1 was carried out independently and transparently, without any interference from the Selangor government, said Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari. Is DOSH independent?

 

The Selangor government was not directly involved in the investigation but only served as one of the 212 witnesses. The blaze and explosion destroyed 81 houses with structural damage exceeding 40 percent, partially destroyed another 81 and affected 57 without burning, while 218 houses were unaffected, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong.

 

Police have classified the gas pipeline explosion incident as No Further Action (NFA) following criminal investigations that found no elements of negligence or sabotage. DOSH’s vague explanation cited “anthropogenic factors”. The report failed to explain how earthworks were allowed to occur within Petronas’ Right of Way (“ROW”). No developer was named. No contractor was charged. No earthquake. No cosmic fluke. No alien attack. Just soil and pipes – who can’t testify were found guilty.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

 

The DOSH Report was stating the obvious without saying anything useful. I could do the engineering or consultancy in this case. This storytelling reminds you of the Highland Towers tragedy in 1993 – same reasons i.e. soil and land instability! Common sense will tell you that soil doesn’t move by accident. We disturb it.

 

If the pipeline was built under U.S. standards, it will have concrete supports (with concrete foundation). Pipeline also has a shelf life of 50 years (this pipeline was probably built in 1984). So, what safety features were there?

 

Madani is looking poor. What could Madani do? Be transparent. Get Petronas to restore homes fully. Replace the pipeline with concrete supports. Charge the developer/ contractor. And have a buffer zone and fence for the ROW. If not, we will continue to have this blast from the past again!

 

References:

Probe into Putra Heights blast transparent, independent: Amirudin, Bernama/Malaysiakini, 3 July 2025

Putra Heights Inquiry: a technical briefing or a public brush-off?, Contributor, Focus Malaysia, 3 July 2025

Putra Heights blast: PAS slams report for blaming only soil, pipeline, N Faizal Ghazali, 3 July 2025