Johor Bahru: The Johor government has intensified its preventive measures by enhancing the oversight of all development and housing projects, particularly those situated near gas pipelines.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stated that there are currently two areas in Johor, Pasir Gudang and Pengerang, with gas pipelines operated by Petronas. These sites received approval from the local authority and 10 technical agencies in 2015. Mohd Jafni assured that both areas are well-maintained, with regular inspections and enforcement conducted by the local authority and Petronas.
"So far, Alhamdulillah, nothing untoward has occurred, thanks to Petronas consistently updating us on the situation at these sites," he noted. He explained that while obtaining technical approvals for housing and development projects is usually straightforward, the main challenge lies in monitoring the actual construction activities on-site.
Mohd Jafni highlighted the importance of having a designated individual responsible for supervising the contractors' work during the project execution, especially in projects involving gas pipelines that demand the highest level of safety. "At the local authority level, we will tighten up the work monitoring to ensure adherence to the checklist provided," he stated during a press conference after the Aidilfitri Open House event.
In response to queries about measures taken following a recent gas pipeline incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Mohd Jafni reaffirmed the state government's commitment to implementing proactive strategies to prevent similar occurrences. He expressed confidence that projects adhering to established technical specifications could prevent such incidents in Johor.
The need for continuous preventive action was emphasized to avoid tragedies like the one in Selangor. On April 1, a gas pipeline fire erupted in Putra Heights, producing flames over 30 meters high and temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. The fire took nearly eight hours to be fully extinguished, destroying 81 houses with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, partially destroying 81 more, affecting 57 without burning, and leaving 218 houses unaffected.