Ensuring safety calls for political will to take action

THE explosion at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province on Monday, killing 26 people and injuring 61 others, is a haunting echo of a nightmare that once happened in our own country. In 1991, the Bright Sparklers disaster in Sungai Buloh, dubbed the “Hiroshima of Selangor”, claimed exactly 26 lives.

As I watched the rescue operations at the Huasheng Fireworks factory in China, the coincidence was chilling. But more importantly, it served as a stark reminder of a time when Malaysia stood at a crossroads and chose the path of wisdom, transparency and reform.

Following the 1991 disaster, the Malaysian government did more than just offer condolences. It also initiated a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the tragedy. And it wasn’t just a committee; it was a powerful, independent search for the truth.

The impact was transformative. The RCI didn’t just find a culprit; it was also the primary trigger for the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994.

It moved us from a reactive “wait-and-see” culture to a proactive one. We should be profoundly proud of this; it proved that when we treat a tragedy with total seriousness, we can lead the world in industrial safety.

However, the power of the RCI lies in its consistency. This brings us to the Putra Heights gas pipeline inferno in April last year. That explosion sent flames 30m into the sky, created a massive crater and injured 150 people, including children.

The ground tremors were felt kilometres away. While the death toll was zero, the potential for a disaster matching Bright Sparklers was undeniable.

Despite the magnitude of the incident and persistent calls from residents and NGOs, the authorities have yet to convene a royal commission of enquiry to investigate the Putra Heights gas pipleline explosion.

The RCI is not about pointing fingers; it is about national learning. It signals to every corporation and agency that in Malaysia, public safety is non-negotiable.

Whether it is a firecracker factory or a high-pressure gas pipeline running through a suburb, the gravity of the risk demands the same standard of truth.

Safety is not a matter of luck – it is a matter of the political will to do what is right

CHIN YEW SIN

Shah Alam