Environmental groups and affected residents gathered today to recap the lasting impact of an explosion and fire that occurred along the Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) Phase II high-pressure gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Selangor, last year.
Beyond reflecting on the incident that damaged over 500 homes and hundreds of vehicles, injured more than 110 people, and forced the evacuation of more than 600 households, residents also demanded assurance regarding their future.
Natasha Aiyla, 36, pointedly asked Kota Kemuning assemblyperson Preakas Sampunathan, “What is your election manifesto for Putra Heights specifically?”, drawing laughter from others gathered at the Putra Heights mosque community hall.
In response, Preakas, who appeared taken aback, said, “I’m not sure whether I’m the (next) candidate yet. But never mind, my view is that the place has to be safe.
“Because the pipeline runs through Putra Heights, Kota Kemuning, Sri Muda, and Bukit Kemuning, the entire area is in my constituency.
“So, my demand to the government is that you have to run a safety check in all these areas to ensure it is safe,” he said.
“Second, I have gone through this (safety) issue with the resident associations. They must know what to do and where they can get help in an incident,” Preakas added.
The DAP lawmaker reiterated that he had raised the matter in the Selangor state assembly and during engagements with Petronas, the pipeline operator.
Preakas, who received a policy-brief titled “Putra Heights One Year On: Unanswered Questions Remain”, prepared by Greenpeace Malaysia and RimbaWatch, also said he would raise the contents of the document in the next Selangor state assembly sitting.
Lasting solutions needed
Another resident, Eunice Tan, noted that while Preakas had actively offered immediate assistance to his constituents, more needs to be done for lasting solutions that protect their future.
“You have always been around. When we call, you will be there. What we need now are solutions.
“The most important thing I want to bring to the government’s attention is that the past is the past, and we cannot change the past.
“But what are you going to do about the future? Because we know the place is not safe anymore,” she said in reference to the explosion site.
Tan is among 36 residents of Taman Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights, who reportedly filed a lawsuit on Oct 18 last year against Petronas and the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) to seek compensation for their losses and accountability from the authorities.
Referring to the ongoing case at the Shah Alam High Court, Tan said filing the lawsuit was not their first preference but a necessary move to seek permanent solutions.
“We are hoping for policy changes [...] For the government to do something when you know that things are not right.
“The place we know is not safe anymore, so why the need to rebuild or repair (the homes) there?
“We are open for discussions, and we are not here to find fault, but we want proactive solutions,” Tan stressed.
‘Bottleneck’
According to news reports dated Dec 4 last year, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said several households had either rejected government assistance or initiated legal action over the incident, creating a bottleneck that has delayed the release of funds and reconstruction works.
Nga, at the time, said Sime Darby was appointed as the master developer to speed up the process, but pending court cases had purportedly prevented any progress, despite queries from other residents who had agreed to receive government help.
Responding to the residents, Preakas cited the ongoing civil suit and said, “Your needs may be different from your neighbours. Some have said, ‘I want my house back, I have nowhere else to go’.”
He also insisted the state government must not only be fair to all who were affected, but also respect the ongoing court process, which could result in a “double claim” for compensation.
Aid with conditions
Speaking to Malaysiakini, resident Loo Yoke Chen revealed that the government’s financial aid offer came with conditions.
“Take the assistance, but forgo legal action. This is not acceptable to us, as we want to exercise our rights.
“We have the right to know what caused the ground movement, why it was not detected, and how the government plans to strengthen regulations to better protect the public,” stressed Loo, who was injured in the incident, along with her parents, Khoo Poh Lian and Loo Fook Foh, as well as her daughter.
Loo later also revealed second and third-degree burn scars on the soles of her feet, while Khoo suffered similar injuries on both her legs.
“Overall, there is a lack of a sense of responsibility. We do not feel heard or represented.
“Recovering from injury as a fire survivor is a daily struggle.
“Everyone forgets easily and has moved on, not realising the pain we are still going through until today. The incident has changed our lives forever,” she added.
The gathering, which also featured a 20-minute documentary screening on the Putra Heights explosion, ended with residents and organisers raising placards that highlighted their demands for justice and answers. - Mkini
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