By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, June 30 — The Federal government has ordered Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) to take immediate action in risk-prone areas with conditions similar to those that led to the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion in April.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Department’s (DOSH) Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat, discussions have been held with Petronas on the necessary actions to be taken following the tragedy, including both short- and long-term measures.
“In the short term, we hope Petronas identifies areas or locations with conditions similar to Putra Heights and immediately carries out necessary improvements.
[caption id="attachment_405796" align="alignleft" width="435"]
The Occupational Safety and Health Department's Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Mat speaks during the special press conference on the April 1 Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam on June 30, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“We have issued the directive, and Petronas has identified the locations. I do not have the exact figures with me now, but they (Petronas) have identified areas similar to the (pipeline) location in Putra Heights,” he said during a special press conference to announce the findings of the Putra Heights explosion today.
Husdin added that several long-term measures will be implemented, but did not elaborate.
He noted that the pipeline, stretching from Kerteh in Terengganu to Segamat in Selangor, and from the Singapore border up to the Thailand border, is estimated to be about 2,680km in total.
Earlier in the press conference, Husdin explained that the pipeline explosion was caused by a fracture resulting from external force, with continuous pressure identified as one of the primary contributing factors to the failure.
He said a stress line had formed due to sustained pressure within the ground, a process that develops over a long period rather than in just a day or two.
On April 1, a leak along a Petronas-owned gas pipeline caused an explosion, which sent flames up to 30 meters into the sky. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to extinguish the blaze.
The blast left a 9.8m-deep crater and damaged over 400 nearby homes.
