By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-04-05 01:06:24 | Updated at 2025-04-05 07:36:05
6 hours ago
The area around gas pipelines must be strictly safeguarded at all times, following the recent gas pipeline fire in Selangor, Malaysia, experts said, emphasising that no unauthorised work should be permitted. Even simple tasks like trimming grass within the designated area require permission and supervision from the owner.
A former Petronas safety officer said that residents should be safe if protection zones are respected.
“As long as the gas pipeline area is not disturbed and the gazetted area is respected, there is no reason for residents living near underground gas pipelines to worry,” Zakariah Yusoff said.
Zakariah, who maintained gas pipelines for 24 years, said Petronas prioritised public safety when laying out the pipelines.
The blast affected 1,254 people from 308 families in the area, with 87 houses suffering a “total loss” and an additional 148 houses requiring repairs.
Zakariah said the owner of the gas pipelines should have the final say on any work done in the gazetted area.
