Penang steps up gas pipeline monitoring after Putra Heights blast
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is stepping up checks on gas pipelines in the state to ensure a Putra Heights-like disaster does not happen.
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari (DAP-Tanjung Bunga) said the state Disaster Management Committee was reviewing matters related to policy, strategy, directives, action plans and the overall direction of disaster management.
He said the committee was chaired by the state secretary and met twice a year.
Zairil said all relevant departments and agencies, including district officers who chair district Disaster Management Committees, were also reviewing these matters.
"To ensure safety, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) annually audits pipeline operators, including inspections such as hydrostatic and pneumatic testing.
"These audits are part of efforts to enforce the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984.
"Pipeline safety is national safety. DOSH monitors for leaks, verifies permits and takes immediate action when standards are not met.
"Generally, inspection results are satisfactory, with operators complying with the legal requirements," he said in response to questions from Lee Khai Loon (DAP-Machang Bubuk), Zulkefli Bakar (Bersatu-Penanti), Phee Syn Tze (DAP-Sungai Puyu) and Abidin Ismail (Pas-Sungai Bakap).
Zairil said DOSH also conducted surprise inspections on pipelines and issued directives to ensure compliance with the law.
He said any leakage risks were managed periodically and in a controlled manner based on technical inspection results.
"Immediate corrective action orders are issued to operators to ensure risks remain under control," he added.
The Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) pipeline, operated by Petronas Gas Bhd and owned by Petronas, runs for 42km through Penang.
It enters from the Sungai Kerian border and continues through towns such as Relau, Machang Bubuk, Mengkuang, Ara Kuda, Kampung Selamat and Pinang Tunggal before crossing into Kedah.
Another 23km pipeline supplies natural gas to three key power stations: SKS Prai Power Plant, TNB Prai and TNB Gelugor.
The Putra Heights pipeline explosion early last month caused a towering inferno that damaged 219 homes, with losses estimated at RM65.4 million.
The full report into the disaster is expected some time this month.
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