Penang Uses Drones To Monitor Gas Pipelines, Prevent Encroachment
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is conducting regular drone surveillance and ground patrols to prevent encroachment into Petronas' Right of Way (ROW) zones as part of efforts to avoid incidents like the recent gas explosion in Putra Heights, Selangor.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the monitoring is carried out once or twice a week to ensure the safety of areas near gas and liquefied petroleum pipelines.
'The main concern is preventing any intrusion into the pipeline ROW buffer zones, which are designed to maintain a safe distance from residential areas. There are clear guidelines regulating development near these zones.
'Encroachment into the ROW is a serious issue. Local authorities have established regulations to control any development near gas pipelines,' he said during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Zulkefli Bakar (PN–Penanti) on whether there are planning guidelines imposed by local authorities for housing developments near gas pipelines to minimise explosion risks.
Zairil (PH–Tanjong Bungah) said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) conducts annual safety audits on gas and petroleum pipeline operators in Penang to ensure compliance with standards on integrity management, operations, maintenance, and other technical aspects.
He said DOSH also performs initial inspections and conducts hydrostatic and pneumatic tests for pipeline systems applying for a Permit to Operate (PTO). Additionally, petroleum storage facilities at petrol stations and terminals are inspected annually.
'DOSH carries out surprise checks on pipelines operating without a PTO and issues compliance orders when necessary. Any potential gas leaks are managed regularly and based on technical evaluations,' he said.
Zairil added that the Penang State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meets twice a year to review policies, strategies, action plans and directions relating to disaster management, including pipeline safety issues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Influential leaders to convene at Energy Asia 2025 to advance energy transition
KUALA LUMPUR: The 'Energy Asia 2025' conference, themed 'Delivering Asia's Energy Transition', from June 16 to 18, will be an opportune moment for Malaysia and the region to take stock of progress made towards energy transition objectives and reinforce national commitments to achieving net-zero goals. The conference is timely, coming at a critical juncture in economic diversification and sustainable development, as nations transition from traditional oil to renewable energy and embrace new technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver a keynote address and officiate the event, which will feature 180 globally renowned speakers and attract over 4,000 delegates, including policymakers, energy professionals and industry leaders. Highlights of the conference include a plenary session on 'Energy Present, Energy Future: Pathways for Asia's Just Transition', followed by a leadership dialogue on 'Energy at the Crossroads: Policies, Technologies and Investments'. There will also be a closed-door gathering of global chief executive officers (CEOs) and C-suite leaders from key sectors, including oil and gas, energy, technology, finance and professional services. The aim is to forge collective pathways that unlock investment, strengthen coordination and accelerate the deployment of technologies to advance Asia's energy transition. By bringing together high-ranking corporate and ministerial figures, the conference will address Asia's key energy issues across seven themes: geopolitics, market strategies, power transition, technology and innovation, capital markets, sustainability and talent development. Prominent officials scheduled to attend include Petronas president and group CEO and chairman of Energy Asia Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik; Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) secretary general Haitham Al Ghais; Saudi Aramco president and CEO Amin Nasser; and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Economics & Technology Research Institute president Dr Lu Ruquan. Complementing the executive conference is the Energy Park – an interactive experience hub designed to spark ideas, inspire action and chart the course of Asia's energy transition. It brings together a vibrant community of technologists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and corporate innovators.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Influential leaders to convene at Energy Asia 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The 'Energy Asia 2025' conference, themed 'Delivering Asia's Energy Transition', from June 16 to 18, will be an opportune moment for Malaysia and the region to take stock of progress made towards energy transition objectives and reinforce national commitments to achieving net-zero goals. The conference is timely, coming at a critical juncture in economic diversification and sustainable development, as nations transition from traditional oil to renewable energy and embrace new technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver a keynote address and officiate the event, which will feature 180 globally renowned speakers and attract over 4,000 delegates, including policymakers, energy professionals and industry leaders. Highlights of the conference include a plenary session on 'Energy Present, Energy Future: Pathways for Asia's Just Transition', followed by a leadership dialogue on 'Energy at the Crossroads: Policies, Technologies and Investments'. There will also be a closed-door gathering of global chief executive officers (CEOs) and C-suite leaders from key sectors, including oil and gas, energy, technology, finance and professional services. The aim is to forge collective pathways that unlock investment, strengthen coordination and accelerate the deployment of technologies to advance Asia's energy transition. By bringing together high-ranking corporate and ministerial figures, the conference will address Asia's key energy issues across seven themes: geopolitics, market strategies, power transition, technology and innovation, capital markets, sustainability and talent development. Prominent officials scheduled to attend include Petronas president and group CEO and chairman of Energy Asia Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik; Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) secretary general Haitham Al Ghais; Saudi Aramco president and CEO Amin Nasser; and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Economics & Technology Research Institute president Dr Lu Ruquan. Complementing the executive conference is the Energy Park – an interactive experience hub designed to spark ideas, inspire action and chart the course of Asia's energy transition. It brings together a vibrant community of technologists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and corporate innovators.
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Wee: Don't rush SST expansion without public input
Wee stresses the need for a comprehensive assessment to determine whether people can sustain the expanded SST rates, which will take effect next month. — Bernama photo KUCHING (June 15): The government should engage in dialogue sessions with people from all sectors rather than implementing the reviewed and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) rates hastily, said Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. He stressed the need for a comprehensive assessment to determine whether people can sustain the expanded SST rates, which will take effect next month. 'Our economy is still well on its road to recovery, with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain struggling. Now that SST rates are to be reviewed and expanded, consumers and people at large will be suffering,' he told his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee pointed out that when the government increases SST rates, the increasing costs are eventually borne by consumers, particularly affecting those in lower-income brackets who will have to spend more to maintain their livelihoods. He urged the government to strike a balance between broadening its tax-based system and ensuring that people do not struggle to make ends meet. He cautioned that any tax reviews that could lead to 'spiral effects to the economy' must be done 'prudently and with the people's well-being at heart'. 'Is it timely to implement reviewed and expanded SST rates at this stage? Are our people prepared to face another spate of rising costs of living? Wee questioned, adding: 'You can take a stroll in the local wet markets where petty traders unanimously state that their businesses are not doing well.' According to the Mayor, while businesses with strong cash flow might manage the new SST rates, many MSMEs especially less established ones, 'may face risk of closure', potentially leading to unemployment. Wee advised the government against solely focusing on revenue-generating, urging them to consider the financial difficulties people are currently facing. 'If more and more MSMEs close down, we will be seeing more jobless persons, and unemployment can be a nasty issue. 'No doubt that we are not economists but we have been on the ground, well aware of what traders and people are being put through,' he said. As such, the Mayor expressed hope that the government will reconsider its decision to implement the reviewed and expanded SST rates next month. expanded lead reviewed Sales and Services Tax wee hong seng
