KUALA LUMPUR — Legal action over the gas pipeline fire on April 1 that damaged homes and caused total losses for some, is not a priority right now for the Putra Harmoni Residents Association, as their immediate concern is a place to stay.
The safety of a liveable home is of higher priority that filing a suit, as investigations by the authorities are still ongoing, the association’s deputy chairman, Francis Koh, told Bernama.
“Legal action is premature, welfare issues of residents is more important first,” he said at the Incident Control Post in Subang Jaya today.
“We hand over the investigation to the authorities first and we are managing the phased re-entry of residents after safety inspections,” Koh added.
85 residents will be able to re-occupy their homes by tonight as the premises have passed safety checks by the Fire and Rescue Department and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, according to Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari this afternoon.
Of the total 235 properties damaged, 87 are a “total loss”, Amirudin said.
Another 148 houses can be re-occupied despite damage, but only after repairs.
Meanwhile, Peter Lau, who is the residents’ association secretary, said they have requested enforcement agencies to include the group’s representatives in every meeting held.
“We need information to convey to the residents, as they currently lack information, which is why they are restless and anxious.
“I hope the authorities cooperate with the residents’ association because we have all the residents’ data, including their pets. We are also ready to assist any residents who face problems,” Lau said.
Amirudin earlier said that two investigations are being conducted into the incident, from a technical perspective and for any criminal or negligence elements.
He said to wait for investigations to be completed, amidst speculation that excavation work for a sewerage channel for a shoplot project had caused damage to the gas pipe, triggering the inferno.
Yesterday, Subang Jaya Mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim said the project was approved by MBSJ in 2022 and received permission from Petronas to use its right of way (ROW) for sewerage facilities.
Amirul added that the contractor involved was panel-approved by Indah Water Konsortium (IWK). However, hours after his remarks, IWK distanced itself from the project and confirmed the contractor involved was not part of IWK’s panel of approved contractors.
Scoop also reported town planning law expert Derek Fernandez questioning if the local council can legally approve a sewerage facility in a gas ROW.
“It is a safety issue. It does not matter if Petronas, as alleged in the media report, agreed to this. In fact, I do not think it is up to Petronas. The local authority is the one which has the final say,” added Fernandez, who was a Petaling Jaya councillor.
The fire displaced 1,254 people from 308 families, based on the names of victims’ registered with the Welfare Department.
Of the total number of people, 630 victims are currently sheltered at two temporary relief centres at the Putra Heights Mosque and the Dewan Camelia multipurpose hall.
The other 624 victims are not at either of the temporary shelters and are staying with relatives or friends, or have made their own arrangements. – April 3, 2025