Critical questions to answer on gas pipeline fire

Official findings awaited: More than 200 premises were damaged by the blaze. PETRONAS and the relevant authorities must conduct a transparent and thorough investigation, and provide clear and timely answers to the public. – ART CHEN/The Star

ALLIANCE For A Safe Community (Ikatan), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to advocating for safety, expresses its profound concern over the devastating gas pipeline fire that occurred in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor on April 1, 2025.

We acknowledge the swift and professional response of the Fire and Rescue Department to contain the blaze, and the tireless work of the police, medical personnel, and other agencies to assist the affected residents.

We also commend the collaborative efforts of local community members, including the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple and the Putra Heights Mosque, in providing immediate shelter and support.

The transparent and real-time updates provided by the authorities during the incident were also appreciated.

The scale of the damage – 235 premises were affected with 87 completely burnt, according to the police – and the intensity of the fire, as described by eyewitnesses and documented in news reports, underscore the severity of the situation.

While we are pleased to note that there were no fatalities, the incident raises critical questions about gas pipeline safety and preventative measures. We respect Petronas’ and the relevant authorities’ capacity to conduct a full and transparent investigation.

However, in the interest of public safety and accountability, Ikatan respectfully requests the authorities address the following key points:

1. Root cause: We understand that various potential causes are being investigated, including reports of excavation works in the vicinity. We await the official findings of the investigation to determine the precise cause of the gas pipeline leak and subsequent fire. If excavation works is determined to be a contributing factor, were proper procedures and work permits issued?

2. Risk assessments: Were comprehensive hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk control (HIRARC) protocols conducted prior to any construction or maintenance activities near the pipeline? For example, during contractor onboarding, were safety protocols thoroughly reviewed, and were risk assessments conducted for the equipment deployed?

3. Pipeline integrity and design: How robust is the pipeline integrity management system, particularly concerning maintenance and inspection procedures? Specifically, was the pipeline designed with low pressure sensors for automatic shutdown? If so, were these sensors triggered during the incident?

4. Competency and supervision: Were competent personnel and adequate supervision present during all phases of work? If there were manpower and resource constraints during the festive season, could the work have been deferred until full competent resources were available?

5. Emergency response and fuel source isolation: In a pipeline leakage and fire incident, the most critical action is to shut down the fuel source immediately. Was the manual shutdown of the four critical valves timely? We seek understanding of the decision-making process related to the valve shutdown.

Given Malaysia’s extensive gas pipeline network, Ikatan believes it is imperative to conduct a thorough review of the existing safety protocols and risk management practices.

We must learn from this incident to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.

We reiterate that the safety and well-being of the community must remain the top priority.

We trust that Petronas and the relevant authorities will conduct a transparent and thorough investigation, and provide clear and timely answers to the public.

PERTUBUHAN IKATAN KOMUNITI SELAMAT

(Alliance For A Safe Community)

Kuala Lumpur