(From left) Chew, Tan and Singam are concerned about the gas pipeline stretch located near residential homes in USJ3, Subang Jaya. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
RESIDENTS in USJ3, Subang Jaya, are urging the authorities to conduct regular maintenance and monitoring of the gas pipeline near their homes, and communicate with the community leaders.
USJ3/3 resident Eric Chew said there was a gas pipeline near the homes, which comprise mostly terrace houses and several bungalows.
He said the pipeline stretched beyond SS19 on one end and beyond USJ12 on the other.
According to the residents, there are several thousand homes and at least five schools located close to the Subang Jaya stretch of the pipeline, with USJ3/3 having about 400 houses while USJ3/4 has over 800.
Other neighbourhoods in the vicinity include USJ3/1, USJ3/2, USJ12, USJ13, USJ3A, USJ3B, USJ3C and USJ3D.
One USJ3/3 resident, who wanted to be identified only as Tang, said when she moved into her home in 1992, the long strip of green space was part of an oil palm estate before the gas pipeline was installed.
USJ3 Four Rukun Tetangga (KRT) chairman YY Tan urged the authorities to instal a CCTV network, fencing and lights along the stretch closest to houses to monitor the area for trespassing or open burning.
“CCTV camera surveillance could be shared with Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and community leaders, similar to what MBSJ does with its flood-monitoring system.”
Chew said he had seen motorcycles and heavy vehicles driving across or along the pipeline stretch as well as noticed evidence of open burning.
“There was one particularly serious incident in May 2022 when the Fire and Rescue Department had to be called in to extinguish open burning. The incident occurred on the pipeline site.”
Chew said some residents even planted trees on the edge of the site, which was not allowed as tree roots could interfere with the gas pipeline.
Tan said there was water ponding and some parts were exposed to erosion or used as illegal dumpsites.
“Community leaders in USJ3/4 used to have a chat group with the pipeline owner, but that is now inactive. I hope it will be revived to keep residents updated,” he said.
“We are worried about what could happen in USJ3/4 and its surrounding areas, since the houses here are close to the gas pipeline,” he added.
Similarly, SK USJ12 Parent-Teacher Association chairman Singam Muniandy expressed concern about the proximity of the gas pipeline located close to the primary school, which has over 1,000 pupils.
“A nearby road, Jalan Usaha, runs perpendicular to the pipeline.
“This road is open only to light vehicles and MBSJ installed a height barrier to prevent heavy vehicles from accessing it.
“However, that barrier keeps getting knocked down and hasn’t been replaced for years, so heavy vehicles and even trailers use Jalan Usaha as a shortcut to get from Shah Alam to Subang Jaya,” said Singam.
Tan suggested that the gas company conduct training for community leaders on what to do in the event of a gas leak, with information on an emergency escape plan and who to contact.
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