Kerteh: More than 20 occupants of a 'tahfiz' religious school here will be relocated today as a precautionary measure following a gas pipeline leak involving Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project site yesterday. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said that although the religious school is located some two kilometres from the incident site, early action was necessary to ensure the safety of its occupants due to the potential risk of air pollution if wind directions shift.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Razi highlighted concerns that shifting winds might carry contaminated air towards the school, posing potential risks. Therefore, the decision to relocate the students and staff was made promptly, with plans to execute the move before nightfall. Coordination efforts between police officers and the school management have already been undertaken to facilitate the relocation process.

Mohd Razi also issued a public advisory, urging residents to avoid approaching the leak site to prevent inhalation of potentially contaminated air. He emphasized the importance of refraining from open burning activities, as the leaked gas could disperse with the wind, creating hazardous conditions. Furthermore, he advised that activities in the nearby forest area should be temporarily suspended.

Reassuring the public, Mohd Razi stated that the situation was under control and urged compliance with any directives issued by the authorities. He emphasized that there was no cause for panic.

Yesterday, Bernama reported that police had closed the main Kerteh-Ranggon road to all vehicles following the leak of a PGB butane gas pipeline at the ECRL Section 5 site in Kerteh. An emergency call received at 9.53 am reported the leak of the flammable butane gas, occurring about two kilometres from the main road and not affecting any villages or residential areas.