SUBANG JAYA: Six months after a devastating gas pipeline explosion tore through their neighbourhood, 36 residents from Taman Putra Harmoni in Putra Heights have filed a civil suit against PETRONAS Gas, the government and several other parties.
The suit was filed at the High Court of Malaya on Oct 17 by residents from the Topaz and Citrine areas in Putra Heights, with PETRONAS Gas Bhd, Hong & Hong Homes Sdn Bhd, Pinterest Ventures Sdn Bhd, the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and the Malaysian government named as defendants.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for the gas leak, explosion and ensuing fire that occurred at 8.07am on April 1, 2025.
In the statement of claim, the plaintiffs said the explosion originated from a gas transmission pipeline owned and operated by Petronas Gas.
The plaintiffs said the plume from the explosion reached up to an estimated height of 40m, with temperatures reaching 1,000°C.
The plaintiffs, comprising 35 residents from Topaz and one from Citrine, said they suffered extensive property loss, physical injuries and psychological trauma.
The plaintiffs are claiming special damages, general damages for pain and suffering, as well as aggravated, exemplary damages and costs.
Speaking on behalf of the group, resident Loh Poh Heng, 43, said residents from 36 households are parties to the lawsuit.
"Most of us are still renting homes elsewhere. While we've received government aid for up to a year, it doesn't erase the trauma or the uncertainty we live with," he said.
Another plaintiff, Chen Ka Kim, 62, said the community is not just seeking compensation.
"A gas pipeline was dangerously close to our homes," he said, claiming there were inadequate safeguards and investigations in the blast were opaque.
"We are not only seeking compensation but also the truth and a systemic change in how public safety is managed," he said.
A Selangor government briefing to Parliament's Special Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation and Communication on Aug 8 stated that 511 houses in the vicinity of the blast were damaged.
