Prominent human rights lawyer and activist Siti Kasim has voiced her deep concerns over the aftermath of the recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, calling on authorities to fully relocate all affected residents. She firmly believes that repairing homes is not a sufficient solution to guarantee long-term safety.
Expressing support for the class-action lawsuit filed by the victims, Siti stressed that justice should go beyond monetary compensation or superficial home restorations. Instead, she argued that the victims deserve to be moved to a new and safer environment—one located far away from hazardous gas infrastructure.
Despite the Selangor state government’s announcement that 85 homes in the affected neighborhood have been deemed safe to return to, and that basic services have been restored, many residents remain uneasy. The persistent presence of underground gas pipelines in the area has led to ongoing fear among homeowners, who worry that another similar incident could happen.
Siti did not hold back in criticizing both the authorities and PETRONAS for what she described as an inadequate response. “This is necessary because the risk will not diminish as there are still gas pipelines buried underground,” she stated in a video posted to her YouTube channel.
She further highlighted that the response so far has failed to adequately protect the victims, stating, “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.”
In her remarks, she also pointed out a broader issue facing residential communities across Malaysia. “It 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,” she cautioned.
Her stance is gaining public attention, as many agree that the government’s current efforts fall short of addressing the long-term risks posed by aging or poorly monitored gas infrastructure. Siti’s advocacy adds momentum to growing public pressure for a reevaluation of how authorities manage such disasters.
With mounting debate over urban planning standards and pipeline safety regulations, the handling of this case may well set an important precedent for future responses to similar incidents across Malaysia.
Information Source: Focus Malaysia
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