Fire and Rescue personnel evacuating an injured victim on a stretcher as the fire rages after the April 1 Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion. (Below) Damage to vehicles and a house in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru. — File photos
Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion a defining event prompting the city council to increase emergency preparedness
A GAS pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Selangor, that injured over 100 people and damaged hundreds of homes became a defining moment for Subang Jaya in 2025.
The April 1 incident, which fell on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, was triggered by the rupture of a gas transmission pipeline that caught fire and forced the evacuation of nearby residents.
Emergency services were deployed to the scene as temperatures reached 1,000°C before the blaze was brought under control later the same day.
Following the incident, the state government set up an independent committee to conduct a full review.
The eight-member panel comprising academics, technical consultants and industry experts was tasked to investigate the cause of the blast, assess regulatory compliance and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.
A special allocation of RM40mil was disbursed as part of the Federal Government’s rapid response to the disaster.
On July 1, the police classified the gas pipeline explosion incident as “No Further Action” ( A) following criminal investigations.
Former Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigations found no elements of foul play, negligence or sabotage, but said the probe would be reactivated if new evidence or testimony turned up.
Not long after the major industrial incident, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) revised its Disaster Relief Operations Strategic Plan to include emergency response measures for gas pipeline explosions.
Managing floods
Dealing with floods was another key concern throughout the year.
Flash floods triggered by downpours during the monsoon season affected several low-lying residential and commercial areas.
In response, MBSJ carried out drainage upgrades at nine flood-prone locations, including Kampung Kenangan, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Bukit Lancong.
These included drain widening and desilting works to help improve water flow.
A Water-Level Monitoring System (PAIR) was also introduced to track water levels at 13 river and drain sites.
The system provides near real-time data and triggers alerts when critical levels are reached.
It is accessible to both authorities and the public.
Tree-related safety was also addressed, with MBSJ carrying out a four-month operation starting in August to prune or remove trees classified as risky or dangerous.
The work targeted trees in residential neighbourhoods, public spaces and along major roads, especially those vulnerable during storms.
Traffic conundrum
MBSJ also faced ongoing pressure to address traffic congestion in established neighbourhoods.
However, one surprise move was the cancellation of the USJ1 flyover along Persiaran Subang Permai, which had been proposed to ease bottlenecks in the USJ1 area.
MBSJ said the project was scrapped as the cost had skyrocketed by RM19mil, due to the discovery of unmapped underground utilities.
Following that, the city council said it would pursue alternative traffic dispersal strategies, including completion of the exit to the Kesas Highway at the junction of Persiaran Subang Permai and Persiaran Subang Mewah.
Meanwhile, a proposed flyover from Persiaran Lagoon Selatan to the Subang-Kelana Link drew mixed reactions from residents in SS14.
Supporters welcomed it as part of MBSJ’s broader traffic relief plan, while others were concerned about its proximity to homes and a perceived lack of disclosure.
Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng said the flyover was part of a three-phase traffic dispersal initiative.
Phase I involves upgrading the NPE-Persiaran Kewajipan roundabout and building an additional road with parking, while Phase II includes a ramp from Persiaran Lagoon Selatan to the Subang-Kelana Link.
Phase III includes a tunnel and road improvements from Sunway City to Jalan Lagoon Timur.
Amirul Azizan: Traffic study will be conducted for proposed flyover project in SS14.
Following a meeting in December between MBSJ and Subang MP Wong Chen, the city council agreed to commission an independent traffic impact assessment (TIA) for the project.
Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim said MBSJ would fund the study and make the findings public, with the assessment to be completed within two months.
Public transport issues also surfaced during the year.
In May, several Smart Selangor bus routes serving Subang Jaya were temporarily suspended due to difficulties in obtaining a bus route permit from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
Apad later clarified that the bus operator had submitted the application late and the disruption was not because of a delay in processing the permit.
The bus route services eventually resumed in June.
Development concerns
A contentious issue arose when residents learnt of a proposed development near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.
The proposed residential project located adjacent to the forest reserve involves approximately 68.4ha of land.
In November, residents gathered at Taman Tasik Wawasan for a peaceful protest against the project.
They raised concerns about traffic, environmental damage and the loss of green space.
MBSJ later stated that no formal planning application had been received and it declined to comment on specifics.
Traders at Pasar Awam SK10 have been relocated to a temporary site to make way for an upgrade on the old market.
Deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali noted, however, that the site lies on a Class 3 slope and would require extensive assessment before any development could proceed.
Meanwhile, as one of the four initial local authorities involved in the state-led Selangor Intelligent Parking (SIP) system, MBSJ is hoping the move will modernise parking and improve services.
However, the announcement drew public attention due to concerns over the concession terms, including its duration and revenue-sharing model.
Under the privatisation of public parking, management of street parking is slated to be consolidated under a single concessionaire – Selmax Sdn Bhd.
However, Amirul Azizan said MBSJ would retain regulatory oversight, while the private operator would handle implementation and daily operations.
The SIP scheme proposed a centralised parking system starting with four local authorities, which included Shah Alam City Council, Selayang Municipal Council and Petaling Jaya City Council.
Looking ahead, MBSJ opened public participation for the Subang Jaya Draft Local Plan 2035 (Amendment 1) in December.
Participants of the ‘Malaysia Walk Day’ during the Kinrara Youth Festival 2025 at Puchong Wawasan Park.
The feedback exercise runs until Jan 31, 2026, and covers proposed changes to land use, zoning, density and development guidelines.
The plan outlines future directions for transport corridors, commercial areas and neighbourhood redevelopment.
Recently, Ng said feedback from residents had included objections to zone changes regarding Subang Ria Park in SS12 and Dataran Millennium in SS13.
Dataran Millennium was part of Subang Jaya’s placemaking initiatives, which included the launch of Durian Hub@Subang Jaya, a designated space for licensed durian sellers, food trucks, and small traders.
Once an underused green space, Dataran Millennium is one of Klang Valley’s most active car-boot sale sites, according to MBSJ.
Upgrading facilities
The winners for the Pasar Awam SK10 redesign competition was announced in May, organised by MBSJ in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Architects.
However, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki has requested amendments to the design to accommodate additional parking spaces.
Physical work for the Seri Kembangan market redevelopment is expected to begin in 2026.
Community facilities also saw improvements during the year, as 3K Complex in SS13 reopened after an extended closure.
The 30-year-old Puchong Jaya morning market in Jalan Merak 2A also saw a RM600,000 facelift, which included anti-slip paving, stall reorganisation and drain repairs.
The upgrades, including parking for 60 vehicles, benefitted 127 stall operators and the public.
In September, Puchong played host to the Kinrara Youth Festival 2025, a first-of-its-kind event organised “by youth for youth” at Taman Wawasan Recreational Park.
The festival included a Malaysia Day walk, bazaar stalls featuring handmade crafts and food, fitness workshops, networking opportunities and a night campfire.
More than 1,000 people from the community attended the festival to take part in mini games and enjoy live music performances.
