Putra Heights blast: PAS slams report for blaming only soil, pipeline

Summary

• Selangor PAS slams the final report on the Putra Heights gas blast, saying it failed to identify the developer or contractor while pinning the blame solely on soil and pipeline failure.

• Chief Ab Halim Tamuri questions how excavation was allowed in Petronas’ right of way and pointed out that the contractor involved is under CIDB disciplinary action.

• He calls for an independent probe, criticising the state’s lack of transparency and oversight in handling the incident.

Selangor PAS has doubled down on its condemnation of the authorities’ final report on the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, claiming it is incomplete and fails to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Its chief Ab Halim Tamuri said the report raises many questions, including on its failure to name the contractor and developer involved in the incident while placing the blame solely on weakened soil caused by cyclic loading.

“No developer was named, no contractor was charged, and in the end, the soil and the pipe - elements that cannot defend themselves - were blamed,” he said during a press conference in Puchong today.

“This incident not only reflects an infrastructure failure, but also exposes weaknesses in governance, transparency, and the integrity of the Selangor state administration.

“Is this a true reflection of the state government’s level of concern and transparency in safeguarding public safety and welfare?” he questioned.

Also present at the press conference were Sungai Ramal assemblyperson Shafie Ngah and Permatang assemblyperson Syazwani Noh.

Yesterday, Halim had proposed an independent Royal Commission of Inquiry to carry out a more thorough probe into the incident.

Flame on

On April 1, a major fire involving a Petronas gas line saw flames shooting more than 30m into the air, with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius, transforming the surrounding landscape into a large crater.

About 146 victims were brought to hospitals and clinics for treatment, and 219 homes suffered damage.

Following the incident, authorities - including the police and the Occupational Safety and Health Department (Dosh) - launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.

On Monday, Dosh’s Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat announced that the pipe involved was not fully supported by the soil around it due to cyclic loading, causing a weakness in the welded joint that broke apart and started the fire.

At the same press conference, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that no elements of sabotage or negligence were found, and police have classified the case as no further action.

Vague explanation

Halim questioned Dosh’s vague explanation, which merely cited “anthropogenic factors”, insisting that the report failed to explain how earthworks were allowed to occur within Petronas’ Right of Way (ROW).

“What’s more shocking is that the excavation work was carried out by a contractor facing disciplinary action by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

“This raises serious questions about the level of oversight and transparency given to this contractor,” he alleged.

The Paya Jeras assemblyperson also urged for an explanation behind who had granted approval for excavation works to be carried out in such a high-risk area, and why no action has been taken against the developer or the contractor involved.

“How can the investigation report claim that all works complied with standard operating procedures when the evidence clearly suggests otherwise?” he asked.

Halim highlighted that audit reports on the Subang Jaya City Council and the Selangor Utility Corridor were also not made public.

He stressed that Selangor PAS will continue to urge the state government to initiate a new and comprehensive investigation spearheaded by an independent body with no vested interests.

Yesterday, Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Azmin Ali said opposition lawmakers will raise issues on the Putra Heights explosion in the upcoming Selangor state assembly.

He said this is because the government's reports on the incident failed to address questions from the opposition, including a request for detailed information on Petronas' monitoring and maintenance work.

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