Stop Dragging Your Feet Over Investigation Of Putra Heights Gas Explosion Selangor Govt Told

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AN MCA leader has expressed frustration over the Selangor government’s delay in the investigation into the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights on April 1.
Its vice president Datuk Lawrence Low said it has been six months since the tragedy but yet only now has the Selangor government announced the formation of an independent investigation committee.
“Acknowledging and welcoming this measure, the timeline however, has been unreasonably delayed. The victims deserve answers and they deserve them without further delays,” he stressed.
“From the outset, the state government’s handling of this incident has been slow, inconsistent, and lacking in transparency. MCA Selangor believes that only a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) can properly investigate the root causes of this disaster.
“Beyond identifying what went wrong, an RCI must also propose long-term plans for victim compensation, disaster prevention, and public safety assurance. This is not just about accountability. It is about restoring trust.”
Low’s response came following the announcement on Tuesday (Sept 30) that an independent committee has been set up to conduct a full review of the gas pipeline explosion.
The eight-member panel, comprising academics, technical consultants and industry experts, will investigate the cause of the blast, assess regulatory compliance and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.
Low, who is also the MCA Selangor state liaison committee chairman further emphasised that the victims, many of whom lost homes, vehicles and loved ones, are still waiting for a credible and transparent report.
“Without it, they have no legal footing to pursue claims, seek compensation or hold those responsible accountable,” he added.
“History must never forget that the explosion injured at least 114 people, with 10 severely hurt and 437 homes and 420 vehicles were destroyed or damaged.
“Three months later, on June 30, the state government released a so-called ‘technical report’ blaming the explosion on ‘loose soil’ and the very next day, the police closed the case with a ‘No Further Action’ classification.”
In pointing out that this sequence of events raised “serious concerns”, Low said the explanation given was “insufficient and unconvincing” with the public and the victims being left in the dark.
“Now, after intense public pressure, the state has finally formed an eight-member independent committee—six months after the incident.
“But even this committee is projected to take another one to two months to conclude its work which means the victims are forced to wait some more, yet again,” he lamented.
Leadership failure
Describing the delay as not just about a bureaucratic delay but a “failure in leadership and governance”, Low further argued that the victims are not statistics but families “still living with trauma, loss, and uncertainty”.
“If the root cause is indeed ‘weak soil’, then the government must explain why, and more importantly, whether similar risks exist near other gas pipelines across the country. Public safety demands clear answers and decisive action,” he stated.
“The Selangor government must stop dragging its feet. Expedite the investigation. Publish a full, credible report. Take responsibility. And most importantly, give the victims the justice and compensation they deserve.” ‒  Focus Malaysia

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