By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, June 30 — The Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion on April 1 was not due to sabotage, foul play, or negligence, but a result of structural failure caused by environmental and geological factors.
The findings, which were released during a special press conference at the state administrative headquarters today, resulted from months of joint investigations involving the police and various technical agencies.
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the police investigation, which took into account all possible factors, including the nearby construction of a sewerage pipe, and involved statements from over 200 witnesses, confirmed the absence of any criminal elements.
“We found no evidence of foul play, sabotage, or negligence in the events leading up to the explosion,” he said.
Instead, the Occupational Safety and Health Department’s (DOSH) Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Mat revealed that forensic analysis had found a stress line formed across the diameter of the pipe due to external factors.
“This was not something that developed in a day or two; it was caused by long-term underground pressure and soft soil conditions,” he said.
Investigators also observed signs of metal fatigue, with a fracture traced to the pipeline’s welding joint along the pipe, which could create friction and a subsequent spark that caused the explosion.
Husdin stressed that it was a gradual failure rather than any sudden or external impact. The explosion occurred within a Right of Way (ROW) zone under Petronas’ management.
He characterised the area as having soft, moisture-retaining soil, caused by a combination of poor drainage, water retention, and an unstable soil structure, which led to cyclic loading — a condition of repeated pressure that weakens structural integrity over time.
“The area experienced high levels of soil moisture and poor drainage. The ground structure could not sustain the load, which caused progressive strain on the pipe,” Husdin said.
The incident prompted a criminal investigation by the police and a technical investigation led by DOSH, in collaboration with several agencies, including the Public Works Department (JKR), the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG), and the Fire and Rescue Department.
The blaze and explosion destroyed 81 houses with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, partially destroyed another 81, and affected 57 without fire damage.
Another 218 houses were unaffected, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong.
Firefighters took nearly eight hours to extinguish the blaze. The blast left a 9.8 metre-deep crater and damaged over 400 nearby homes.
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