Putra Heights blast not linked to excavation works, says Selangor MB

The Selangor state assembly was informed today that the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1 was not caused by excavation works, nor was it the trigger for the resulting blaze.

Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said investigations by the police, the Minerals and Geoscience Department, and the Occupational Safety and Health Department (Dosh) confirmed that the groundworks did not impact the gas pipeline.

“According to checks with the local authorities, the 4.2m monsoon drain construction and the residential development took place around 2008 to 2009, before the establishment of the One-Stop Centre in 2010,” he said during a briefing on the Putra Heights incident at the Selangor state assembly today.

Amirudin also refuted allegations that the developer had carried out unauthorised construction near the Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) reserve.

He clarified that the company had complied with Petronas' safety conditions and obtained formal approval to proceed with works on March 20.

He also denied claims that the Subang Jaya City Council had failed to meet the necessary criteria when approving the planning permission for works within the Petronas buffer zone, explaining that while PGB's buffer zone requirement is 60 feet, the approved buffer zone at the Putra Heights site was 66 feet.

Earlier, Dosh Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat was reported as saying that the incident was caused by weak soil conditions beneath the pipeline.

He said that while the pipeline met all technical specifications, the investigation revealed that the ground beneath it was weak and failed to provide proper support, leaving a segment of the pipe resting over soft, wet soil.

Repair works

On a separate development, Amirudin said the reconstruction and repair works for the affected homes are ahead of schedule.

He said that based on assessments by the Economic Planning Unit, three homes in Taman Putra Harmoni will be rebuilt, while 46 will undergo repairs, and another 46 units are still undergoing final structural inspections.

He added that in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, of the 17 homes affected, 11 will be rebuilt and six repaired.

He said that as of now, homeowners in Taman Putra Harmoni have submitted repair claims amounting to RM458,440.50, while residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru have filed claims for RM884,934.

He reminded residents that they have until Oct 27 to submit all required documents, with MBSJ, which is acting as facilitator.

“Following the assessment, the state government will propose to the Housing and Local Government Ministry to raise the ceiling for repair costs from RM30,000 to RM60,000 to account for roofing tiles and replacement of fittings such as water tanks,” he concluded.

- Bernama

'No cover ups': MB to brief S'gor reps on Putra Heights fire

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

MCA Youth raps govt over lack of updates on Putra Heights reconstruction

Probe into Putra Heights blast transparent, independent: Amirudin