Siti Kasim: Impose total relocation, evacuation of affected Putra Heights residents from danger zone
IN welcoming the class suite by affected residents of the Putra Heights gas pipeline tragedy, Siti Kasim wants them to seek compensation in the form of new homes a safe distance away outside their destroyed or partially damaged dwellings.
As many residents are reportedly reluctant to return to their homes yesterday (April 3) despite 85 homes declared safe by the Selangor state government with and utilities having been restored, the human rights activist and lawyer described as “raw deal” the intention of the former and PETRONAS to merely repair damage homes.
“This is necessary because the risk will not diminish as there are still gas pipelines buried underground,” she counselled in her latest YouTube rant.
“The solution shouldn’t be merely to repair damaged homes or to dish out compensation so the residents can return home but total evacuation to a safer location which is 500 metres or more away from any gas pipelines.
“It’s should be either this or relocation of the gas pipelines … in fact, there are many gas pipelines that run through residential estates throughout the entire country, hence the need for every homeowner to be sensitive if their properties are sitting on top of the pipelines or located close to them.”
Editor’s Note: Malaysia’s gas pipeline network which originates in Kerteh, Terengganu has been reported to extend through northern and southern regions, including Johor, Singapore and Kedah, covering 800km – and commonly passes through residential areas.
As safety measure, designated buffer zones are earmarked to prevent unauthorised access to the pipeline reserves.
Why involved taxpayers’ money?
Against the backdrop that property value of the affected homes and those in the surrounding areas “must have nosedived”, Siti Kasim further demanded that the Selangor state government be held responsible for having erred in issuing the permit to build houses close to the gas pipelines despite the obvious danger
“Why must we use taxpayers’ money to compensate the affected residents when this could be the fault of the state government and PETRONAS?” wondered the Orang Asli advocate.
Editor’s Note: Families affected by the recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights will begin receiving financial aid from Monday (April 7) as part of the Selangor state government’s recovery efforts, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that both the government and Petronas would provide compensation for affected residents.
PETRONAS with federal support will allocate RM5,000 to homeowners whose houses were completely destroyed for temporary lodging while those with partially damaged homes will receive RM2,500 in financial relief.
Echoing the sentiments raised by Siti Kasim is fellow human rights activist and lawyer Charles Hector who opined that PETRONAS “must be held solely responsible for the damage caused by its pipeline fire”, hence taxpayers’ money should not be involved.
Below is his WhatsApp text to FocusM which insinuates the element of corrupt practice:
Apparently the victims are returning home. Remember that this is not about the fire per se but severe heat that caused cars and children’s playground items to melt, not burn. This happened up to 200-300 metres from the gas pipeline.
Thus, the question is how these houses and buildings got the approval to be built when they were so close to the gas pipeline. To be safe, no homes or buildings should be built within 500 meters from gas pipelines. So, was there corruption here?
If the houses/buildings existed before the pipeline was laid, again a hint of corruption arises – be it at the local government, state government or Federal government level – with total disregard for citizen’s safety and well-being.
“It’s should be either this or relocation of the gas pipelines … in fact, there are many gas pipelines that run through residential estates throughout the entire country, hence the need for every homeowner to be sensitive if their properties are sitting on top of the pipelines or located close to them.”
Editor’s Note: Malaysia’s gas pipeline network which originates in Kerteh, Terengganu has been reported to extend through northern and southern regions, including Johor, Singapore and Kedah, covering 800km – and commonly passes through residential areas.
As safety measure, designated buffer zones are earmarked to prevent unauthorised access to the pipeline reserves.
Izinkan saya share opinion related dgn thread dibawah.
Kes letupan ni telah bukak mata kita betapa pentingnya undang2 yg ketat dan tegas especially dlm aspek binaan.
Mcm kes ni undang2 dh ada, tp kita tak pasti sapa yg tak ikut sapa. someone need to be responsible.
Why involved taxpayers’ money?
Against the backdrop that property value of the affected homes and those in the surrounding areas “must have nosedived”, Siti Kasim further demanded that the Selangor state government be held responsible for having erred in issuing the permit to build houses close to the gas pipelines despite the obvious danger
“Why must we use taxpayers’ money to compensate the affected residents when this could be the fault of the state government and PETRONAS?” wondered the Orang Asli advocate.
Editor’s Note: Families affected by the recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights will begin receiving financial aid from Monday (April 7) as part of the Selangor state government’s recovery efforts, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that both the government and Petronas would provide compensation for affected residents.
PETRONAS with federal support will allocate RM5,000 to homeowners whose houses were completely destroyed for temporary lodging while those with partially damaged homes will receive RM2,500 in financial relief.
Echoing the sentiments raised by Siti Kasim is fellow human rights activist and lawyer Charles Hector who opined that PETRONAS “must be held solely responsible for the damage caused by its pipeline fire”, hence taxpayers’ money should not be involved.
Below is his WhatsApp text to FocusM which insinuates the element of corrupt practice:
Apparently the victims are returning home. Remember that this is not about the fire per se but severe heat that caused cars and children’s playground items to melt, not burn. This happened up to 200-300 metres from the gas pipeline.
Thus, the question is how these houses and buildings got the approval to be built when they were so close to the gas pipeline. To be safe, no homes or buildings should be built within 500 meters from gas pipelines. So, was there corruption here?
If the houses/buildings existed before the pipeline was laid, again a hint of corruption arises – be it at the local government, state government or Federal government level – with total disregard for citizen’s safety and well-being.
Charles Hector
GAS pipeline fires are a known risk with the fire/heat risk could have been calculated. If there is a leak and fire, what is the range of danger/fire/heat? Hence, approvals given by the relevant authorities are questionable.
The affected residents are not flood victims – the gas pipeline will still be there when they return home. And the high-risk returns.
So, the solution here is a total relocation to a safe area – maybe 500 meters or more from any gas pipelines. Or a relocation of the gas pipelines.
Fire and heat are not the only risks. What about gas poisoning? Gasses can travel far and here we are also talking about highly inflammable gasses.
Are the homes and buildings here ‘illegal’ given reasonably no such buildings should have been approved or built at least 500 metres from a pipeline that supplies gas to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and other IPPs (independent power producers) for use in electricity generation.
Providing alternative safe homes of equal value to the victims would be an ideal solution. And prosecute the MB (Menteri Besar), mayor, local council and government personnel who approved homes so close to this dangerous gas pipelines. – April 4, 2025
GAS pipeline fires are a known risk with the fire/heat risk could have been calculated. If there is a leak and fire, what is the range of danger/fire/heat? Hence, approvals given by the relevant authorities are questionable.
The affected residents are not flood victims – the gas pipeline will still be there when they return home. And the high-risk returns.
So, the solution here is a total relocation to a safe area – maybe 500 meters or more from any gas pipelines. Or a relocation of the gas pipelines.
Fire and heat are not the only risks. What about gas poisoning? Gasses can travel far and here we are also talking about highly inflammable gasses.
Are the homes and buildings here ‘illegal’ given reasonably no such buildings should have been approved or built at least 500 metres from a pipeline that supplies gas to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and other IPPs (independent power producers) for use in electricity generation.
Providing alternative safe homes of equal value to the victims would be an ideal solution. And prosecute the MB (Menteri Besar), mayor, local council and government personnel who approved homes so close to this dangerous gas pipelines. – April 4, 2025
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