Latest news with #PodcastUtama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Putra Heights gas explosion: Cause of blast known this month, say police
KUALA LUMPUR: The cause of the Putra Heights gas explosion, including whether it was triggered by excavation works or others, is expected to be confirmed once investigations by the police and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) are completed later this month. However, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed the presence of an excavator at the site before the explosion. "We confirm that an excavator was used for excavation work to install sewer pipes in front of a shop lot that has yet to be completed. "We believe that when the explosion occurred, the excavator was buried in the crater. "So, at the end of the restoration works, we will excavate the area to remove it," he said this during an episode of the Podcast Utama titled Bahang Sengsara Putra Heights last night. Hussein said police will carry out excavation works at the location to verify the excavator's position once samples for the DOSH investigation are collected and Petronas' pipeline repair works are completed. He added that from the first day of the investigation, the police's forensic team had been re-excavating the pipeline installation area managed by the contractor. "Previously, the investigation focused on the central area of the pipe. "We dug up to 16 metres because the explosion had altered the structure and depth of the ground. "One of the key aspects of the investigation is the excavation work. The police have identified who carried out the work, which contractor was involved, what machinery was used, and the purpose of the work," he said. He also said that any disturbance to the soil could be detected by the forensic team. "The forensic team was tasked with examining the extent of soil disturbance or digging. "We can determine the depth of the excavation based on precise measurements taken. "The main question is whether the excavation works caused the pipeline to rupture and explode. "This will be answered through the technical investigations by the police and DOSH," he said. Hussein added that the investigation also includes the possibility of explosive elements. "We collected soil samples to determine whether any explosive substances were present that could have triggered the incident. "For example, if there were old bombs planted or elements of sabotage, all of that is within the scope of the investigation," he said.
Malay Mail
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Titiwangsa MP urges protection of Kampung Sungai Baru's heritage in drafting Urban Renewal Act
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has called for the proposed Urban Renewal Act to protect the heritage and historical rights of Kampung Sungai Baru residents, warning against forced evictions during redevelopment. The Umno politician urged the government to learn from the disputes that have delayed redevelopment efforts in one of the last remaining Malay villages in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. 'The government must take heed of the issues that have arisen in Kampung Sungai Baru and use them as a basis for incorporation into any legislation, including the proposed URA,' the Titiwangsa MP whose constituency covers Kampung Sungai Baru, said in a special edition of TV3's Podcast Utama shared on his Facebook account earlier today. He stressed that developers must act cautiously, particularly if seeking to invoke the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to compel residents to vacate. 'It is critical to consider sensitivities, such as which areas should be included, because land in Kuala Lumpur is finite,' he said. 'If we are to redevelop flats that are between 50 and 70 years old, then a specific act (URA) is necessary – but it must be deeply mindful of the land's historical roots to avoid mass evictions during redevelopment.' Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, emphasised that redevelopment must prioritise long-term community benefits. Citing successful models by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in upgrading dilapidated public housing, he said urban renewal should allow original residents and their families to continue living in the area. 'For example, when their children grow up and get married but cannot afford homes, redevelopment can provide additional units. 'They could continue living in the area, as the redevelopment — for instance, transforming a four-storey block into a 30-storey building — would create more housing units that could prioritise the original residents' families,' he said. The proposed URA, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in June, aims to replace outdated laws governing the redevelopment of ageing urban areas. A small group of Kampung Sungai Baru residents are opposing the redevelopments although the majority have been reported to have accepted, raising pressure on the government to increase its compensation package. In response to the public backlash, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa has highlighted that the compensation covers replacement units, moving costs, ex gratia payments for home renovations, and temporary rental allowances. Johari who previously acknowledged that the majority of residents have agreed to the urban renewal plans, is now cautioning the residents against accepting the developer's offer, citing concerns over the undervaluation by DBKL's land and mine department. But he also he warned that further delays would prolong rental periods and postpone the delivery of promised properties, which he deems unfair.
