Malaysia gas pipeline inferno caused by unstable soil: Authorities
The explosion in the town of Puchong on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur injured over 100 people, forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 people and destroyed nearby homes and vehicles.
Malaysia's Occupational Safety and Health Department said the soil holding up the pipeline where the explosion happened was "soft and moist" and moved, causing long term stress lines to form on the pipe's surface.
Environmental watchdog RimbaWatch however urged authorities on Tuesday to investigate Petronas and relevant government agencies for negligence in monitoring the pipeline.
"Given that the subsidence occurred over a long period of time, why did Petronas' various 24/7 safety measures ... fail in detecting such a significant occurrence of soil subsidence in such a high-risk area?" RimbaWatch said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
06-08-2025
- CNA
Malaysia's charcoal workers who risk their health to do what's shunned by most
Mr Mustapa Mustaman has toiled at a charcoal factory in Kota Tinggi, Johor, for over 20 years. At 60, his body bears the marks of daily exposure to heat, smoke and dust. By: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas Each day begins at 6am. Wood is stacked into 3m-deep pits, covered in sawdust, and burned for months to produce charcoal. The fumes never cease. Part of Mr Mustapa's job is to inspect a burning pit to ensure the fire is maintained for charcoal production. As the charcoal cools, workers sift and sort through the wood, releasing more dust into the air. "Alhamdulillah (Thank God), none of us have ever gotten sick, even though we work in a place full of smoke, heat and dust," said Mr Mustapa. The labour is not the toughest part for the workers. 'It's not the work, it's the distance,' said Mr Nasaruddin Ahmad Rahmad, 64, referring to the emotional burden of being separated from his family in Lombok, Indonesia. Workers such as Mr Nasaruddin and Mr Sahiruddin Rahman (pictured) continue to endure the job, driven by the desire to give their families a better life. "I want to see my children succeed. I want them to have good jobs," said Mr Sahiruddin. At the factory, the charcoal is sorted into sacks and the workers aim to fill between 10 and 15 sacks every day, each weighing around 20kg. Each bag of charcoal sells for around RM25 (US$5.80). After decades in the heat, Mr Mustapa plans to retire this year. 'I just want to play with my grandchildren and watch them grow,' he said. Next Story
Independent Singapore
03-08-2025
- Independent Singapore
‘I'm done with S'pore! I wanna move to M'sia…' — S'porean man earning S$100K/year feels ‘jaded with life in SG; KL feels sweet place to be'
SINGAPORE: When a Singaporean earning a cool S$100,000 a year starts eyeing Kuala Lumpur as his personal Eden, the internet listens but starts to debate. In a viral post on the r/Malaysia subreddit, a 35-year-old Singaporean man, husband and father of three, poured his heart out because he's completely burnt out, and now he hears KL is calling… 'Of late, I have been feeling very jaded with life in SG and have been fantasizing of leaving,' he wrote. 'KL feels like a sweet place to be, with opportunities likely far greater than anywhere else in Malaysia.' Done with SG. Wanna move to Msia. byu/serstay inmalaysia He added that while his job in Singapore's education sector is stable, and he's close to his extended family, he's dreaming of a reboot across the Causeway. Notably, he's unsure where or how to begin the transition, and was hoping Malaysian Redditors could shed some light. Grass is greener on the other side, or just different? The replies ranged from 'please think twice' to 'you're not alone.' But one theme stood out like a neon sign on Jalan Bukit Bintang: it's complicated. 'Mate, I'm sorry to burst your bubble,' one Malaysian bluntly said, reminding the Singaporean that 'There's a reason plenty of Malaysians are seeking opportunities in Singapore.' Another Redditor, who worked in both Malaysian and Australian schools, urged the man not to oversimplify the move. 'Don't narrow it down to country. Narrow it down to the specific school… and what their values are.' See also S377A: "Doing the right thing" - or killing the Opposition softly? A few Singaporeans chimed in as well, some sympathising. One candidly admitted: 'If you struggle with S$100K and three kids in Singapore, you're gonna cry if you go to Malaysia and try to live on RM100K.' 'You need about RM180K/year in KL…' At current exchange rates, S$100K is roughly RM330K — a salary only a small percentage of Malaysians earn. While KL might offer a lower cost of living on some fronts, Redditors were quick to point out hidden pitfalls: Housing: A good 3-bedroom condo would cost close to RM2,000/month A good 3-bedroom condo would cost close to RM2,000/month Transportation: You'll need a car, as public transport is not quite like that in Singapore You'll need a car, as public transport is not quite like that in Singapore Schooling: International schools are the go-to for expats, but come with a hefty price tag International schools are the go-to for expats, but come with a hefty price tag F&B & Groceries: Hawker food and local stuff may be cheaper, but fast food and other items, not necessarily. One Malaysian explained: 'To maintain the same lifestyle as S$100K in SG, you need about RM180K/year [in KL]. [That's] around RM16K/month.' Not easy unless you're in a niche or leadership role. 'Sounds like you just need a vacation…' Many suggested a softer landing, like taking a sabbatical or long break before calling the movers. 'Sounds like you just need a vacation,' one advised. 'Rent a long-term Airbnb, take the kids on a road trip, breathe. Then decide,' another added. See also Crime and punishment: Where is the debate? A few even floated hybrid options: 'Keep earning SGD with a remote job while living in JB or KL. That's the best of both worlds.' Maybe look to Europe? A major concern for the Singaporean was the pressure cooker of Singapore's education system. One commenter agreed with him: 'I increasingly feel bad for the kids. I can live with a lower income if it means a more holistic learning environment for them.' But others warned Malaysia might not be the promised land for this. 'If you want growth mindset education, maybe look to Europe,' said one. 'Most people on this subreddit want to leave Malaysia…' Not all Malaysians were keen to sell their country. One local Redditor pointed out, 'Most people on this subreddit want to leave Malaysia,' to hint to the Singaporean that he's basically going against traffic. Another added a reality check: 'KL is just Singapore 2.0 — with worse walkability,' additionally warning him that the traffic jams could make him rethink his life. And then there were those who saw the appeal in collectively saying that though Malaysia isn't perfect, if he and his wife can earn five digits each and keep expectations grounded, they'll be okay. Life here can be calm, exciting, and less intense — if they find the right setup. See also What Is Retirement Like for You in Singapore? 'You're thinking too much…' In perhaps the most Singaporean reply of all, one commenter captured the tension with a touché: 'You got too much money, that's making you think too much. Give me some, and you'll know how important your job is,' he wrote. Verdict: Lion City or KL City? So, should this jaded Singaporean ditch the Lion City for KL's nasi lemak or roti canai mornings at a slower pace? Reddit's collective answer: not unless he has a concrete job lined up, realistic expectations, and a serious heart-to-heart with his family. Because sometimes, the grass isn't greener. It's just a different turf — and it might require a 7-year car loan and international school fees. But if you're really tired of SG's rat race, a short escape across the border never hurt. Just remember: don't pump RON95! Meanwhile, in other news, a 28-year-old Malaysian woman poured her heart out in a heartfelt post about working in Malaysia just won't do for her mum and dad, because to them, even earning RM7K/month is still not 'good enough'. You can read more about her story over here: 28 y/o Malaysian woman laments because her parents keep forcing her to work in Singapore to earn more
CNA
01-08-2025
- CNA
In Pixels: Malaysia's charcoal workers who risk life and health to do the work shunned by most
Mr Mustapa Mustaman has spent more than two decades at a charcoal factory near Malaysia's quiet town of Kota Tinggi in Johor, Malaysia. The toll of the hard labour was evident on the 60-year-old's body that was covered in perspiration and surrounded by fumes. He spends eight hours a day turning wood into charcoal. "This work is not easy," the Indonesian said. "The labour is hard and (the environment is) hot. We work with heat, dust and smoke every day." Mr Mustapa is among the hundreds of thousands of foreign labourers who work in Malaysia's "3D" sector, referring to jobs that are dirty, dangerous and difficult. Many Malaysians are unwilling to take up such jobs due to the intense physical demands and low pay. This weekend, In Pictures looks at the gruelling conditions these workers face as they toil at a charcoal factory in Malaysia, and finds out what keeps them going. BAREFOOT, BARE-BODIED IN INTENSE HEAT For seven days a week, Mr Mustapa starts the work day before sunrise, at around 6am. He begins by stacking pieces of wood into a burning pit that is 3m deep and almost the size of a badminton court. The wood is then covered in sawdust, which acts as the fuel to help burn the wood, and the timber is burned for two to three months before charcoal is produced. Mr Mustapa and his co-workers manage about 10 burning pits at the factory and they produce around two tons of charcoal daily. The workers walk around the scorched grounds near the burning pits either barefoot or with just a flimsy pair of rubber slippers. "There was a time when my foot slipped into the burning pit and my slipper got stuck inside," Mr Mustapa recounted. "Luckily, my foot didn't burn." Squinting from the billowing thick smoke, Mr Nasaruddin Ahmad Rahmad tried to wipe the perspiration off his face as he raked out the finished charcoal from the fire pit, leaving it to cool. The 64–year-old Indonesian has been working at this factory for nearly two decades. For him, enduring the tough conditions has become second nature. It is the emotional burden of being separated from his family in Lombok, Indonesia that makes it hard to bear. "I miss my wife, children and grandchildren. When they are sick back home, I feel helpless," he said. After five hours of labour, the workers managed to catch a short break for lunch over a meal of nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), Malay kueh and coffee they bought from a shop nearby. They did not rest for long, a mere half hour, before returning to their tasks. As the charcoal cooled, Mr Mustapa began to sift and sort through the wood, releasing more dust into the air, which is another health hazard the workers have to endure. "Alhamdulillah (Thank God), none of us have ever gotten sick, even though we work in a place full of smoke, heat and dust," he said. ENDURING HARSH ELEMENTS It is not just the heat and smoke from the fire that make the working conditions harsh. The weather, too, often compounds the situation. Several of the workers wear hats to shield themselves from the blazing sun. They would also splash water over their bodies to help them cool down. When it rains, as it frequently does in Malaysia, the work does not let up as they are still required to ensure that the flames keep burning. "If it rains, the smoke gets even thicker and (makes it) harder to breathe," Mr Mustapa said. The rain also turns the ground into muddy sludge, making every step more arduous. The charcoal is sorted into sacks and the workers aim to fill between 10 and 15 sacks every day, each sack weighing around 20kg. Each bag of charcoal sells for around RM25 (US$5.80). The workers are mostly done by early evening, although there are some days when they work into the night. FUELLING THE ECONOMY As of April 2025, Malaysia exported charcoal products worth RM98.4 million, making the country the 17th largest exporter of charcoal globally. The product is typically used for traditional cooking at home or by street food vendors in Malaysia. It also has various industrial purposes, including being used in cosmetics, water filtration and odour control. Workers in this sector are mostly foreigners and they typically earn between RM2,000 to RM3,000 a month, Mr Mustapa said. As of 2024, there were 2.3 million foreign workers in Malaysia, statistics from its Ministry of Human Resources showed. Most of these workers were from Bangladesh (38 per cent), followed by Indonesia (25 per cent) and Nepal (16 per cent). They were primarily employed in the "3D" sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture and mining, where there are a lack of Malaysian workers. LABOURING FOR A BETTER FUTURE Workers such as Mr Sahiruddin Rahman continue to endure the harsh conditions of the job, driven by the desire to give his family a better life. The 55-year-old father-of-four, who was once a farmer, would like to see his children get a good education. "I want to see my children succeed. I want them to have good jobs," he said. He also dreams of becoming a livestock farmer once he retires. "I want to raise cows and goats, but I don't have enough money yet, so I have to keep working." Another worker, Mr Sahitom Ahmad, 53, dreams of one day returning to his village to build a house for his family. "I want to buy land so my family and I can live more comfortably and I can watch my grandchildren play in the yard." For Mr Mustapa, this will be his last year working at the charcoal factory. He plans to return to Lombok for good and is hoping to spend more time with his family and his six grandchildren. "I just want to play with my grandchildren and watch them grow."
