KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor government is facing mounting criticism for omitting key details from its official report on the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, including evidence that excavation works continued after the expiry of a local authority permit and the involvement of its own state-linked agency, Koridor Utiliti Selangor (Kusel).
During the state assembly sitting yesterday, and via posts on his Facebook, Hulu Kelang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali questioned why the report made no reference to sewer replacement works carried out between March 27 and 30 this year, despite the permit issued by Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) covering only the period from October 8, 2024, to January 8, 2025.
He said documents showed that developer Hong & Hong Homes Sdn Bhd had submitted a request to Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) in April 2024 to conduct sewer works, which was later supported by Kusel and forwarded to MBSJ in September.
MBSJ subsequently approved a three-month permit, but excavation activities – including those involving trial pits over Petronas gas pipelines – took place more than two months after the permit had lapsed.
"How were works allowed to continue at the site after the permit expired? Why was no action taken? And why is this not mentioned at all in the report?” Azmin asked.
Kusel, which operates under Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), functions as a one-stop agency overseeing utility corridor planning and coordination. Azmin questioned whether the agency had failed in its responsibility by facilitating the permit application despite the expiry and by endorsing a contractor reportedly under investigation by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
He also criticised the report’s silence on the presence of heavy machinery.
“Who brought the excavator to the site? Which company was responsible? There’s no mention of this in the report,” he said.
Azmin noted that residents had already lodged complaints before the explosion, supported by photos and videos showing machinery at the site.
“On the day of the incident, the menteri besar said he didn’t see any excavator. But later, the Selangor police chief confirmed that an excavator was buried at the site. The MB then said we twisted his words. So why was this not reflected in the report?” he asked.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari yesterday said that excavation works were not the cause of the explosion, nor did those activities damage the pipeline.
Citing findings by police, the Mineral and Geoscience Department, and the Occupational Safety and Health Department, he said there was no evidence linking groundworks to the blast or subsequent fire.
He also rejected claims of unauthorised construction near the Petronas pipeline reserve, saying the developer had obtained necessary approvals and complied with Petronas safety requirements before works began on March 20.
On concerns that MBSJ had failed to enforce minimum buffer zones, Amirudin said the 60-foot requirement was in fact exceeded, with 66 feet of clearance maintained.
The final report, released on June 30, concluded that the blast was caused by soil subsidence that shifted the Petronas gas pipeline by 15.9cm. Authorities ruled out sabotage or negligence, attributing the incident to long-term ground instability in waterlogged soil.
However, Azmin questioned why the report failed to assess whether delayed construction activities may have contributed to soil weakening or instability.
“This was not a minor incident – it affected 112 victims and over 500 homes. The trauma is still real. But the state’s response has not been transparent and has only eroded public confidence,” he said.
He called on the government to establish an independent committee and table a White Paper in a special assembly sitting to investigate the full circumstances of the incident, including the roles of Kusel, MBSJ, and the appointed contractors. – July 9, 2025
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