Amirudin dismisses call for emergency sitting on Putra Heights fire

 

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the investigation into Tuesday’s gas pipeline fire at Putra Heights should be completed first before any emergency state assembly sitting is considered. (Bernama pic)

SHAH ALAM: 

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari today dismissed calls for an emergency state assembly sitting to discuss the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire, saying the investigation into the incident needed to be completed first.

“This is not the time for debates,” he told reporters here today.

Amirudin said the incident could be raised at the next meeting scheduled for July.

“And we will have ample opportunity to debate in a more orderly manner,” he said.

His comments came after state opposition leader Azmin Ali called for an emergency sitting as he said the incident had raised serious concerns when it came to compliance and enforcement of safety measures.

Azmin, a former menteri besar, also called for the Selangor government to conduct an “independent, detailed and transparent” investigation into the incident.

He also wanted the report based on the probe to be tabled and debated in the state assembly.

The fire that broke out at 8.10am on Tuesday engulfed a 500m section of a gas pipeline, injuring 111 people, many with burns and respiratory issues.

It destroyed 225 vehicles and damaged another 174. It also left a 10m-deep crater measuring 21m by 24m and damaged homes and properties within a 500m radius.

A total of 538 residents from 120 families were displaced, with some hospitalised and others relocated to two temporary relief centres.

It was reported yesterday that some 20 agencies, including the police, the fire and rescue department, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the public works department will begin investigations at the site of the fire. - FMT