Kuala lumpur: When a Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) pipeline ruptured in Putra Heights during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays, sending a fireball hundreds of metres into the air, it was a stark reminder of how modern development and critical infrastructure must coexist safely. For PGB, the first priority was the people, and its immediate focus was on safety - protecting residents, controlling the fire and evacuating those at risk, said PGB managing director/chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Othman.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, within hours of the fire incident, PGB staff and local residents were on the ground at Masjid Putra Heights and nearby hospitals to assist. "About 30 people stepped forward on the second day of Hari Raya to help manage the relief centre and support victims. We also sent teams to hospitals, as some burn victims sought treatment," Abdul Aziz said when met recently.

Financial and recovery support followed quickly as PGB disbursed RM2.7 million in cash and medical aid in the first week of the incident. "We also channelled RM25 million through the Finance Ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to repair homes in Putra Heights and Kampung Tengah," he said. PGB is also working closely with KPKT to ensure families can return home as soon as possible.

The Putra Heights pipeline, built decades ago when the area was largely undeveloped, was buried about two metres underground and had operated safely for nearly 40 years. But over time, the environment around it changed. "Anthropogenic factors - human activities - disrupted the natural water flow and weakened the clay soil beneath the pipeline. Our pipe had been stable for nearly four decades, but the ground softened at its lowest point, causing it to drop and part," Abdul Aziz explained.

When the pipe separated, high-pressure gas escaped, ignited, and created the massive flame seen by nearby residents. The news first came to me on the morning of the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. It was still festive, and I was preparing to visit relatives when the first flash about an explosion in Putra Heights appeared on television.

By noon, while I was helping myself to a second serving of Raya dishes, my phone buzzed with a message from my executive editor asking me to be on standby. Minutes later, another instruction came - head to Masjid Putra Heights, which had been converted into a temporary relief centre for the victims, as Petronas chief Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz was expected to hold a press briefing.

I finished my meal, took one of my sisters with me, and drove to Putra Heights. We arrived about half an hour later to a scene that was humbling and unsettling. The mosque's event halls had been cleared to host families who had just lost homes or were displaced. Some carried minor burns; an elderly man moved slowly with help, and a disabled man lay quietly on his mat. Mothers tended to restless children.

Abdul Aziz stressed that PGB's 2,000km pipeline system is heavily monitored using proven technologies. "We run an inspection programme called Geopig - short for Pipeline Inspection Gauge. It's an intelligent device that travels inside the pipeline, mapping every metre to detect movement or thinning of the pipe wall," he added.

Abdul Aziz said PGB had completed runs across almost the entire system, and so far, there was no significant concern. The company also uses magnetic flux leakage tools and other 'intelligent pigs' to measure pipe thickness and identify corrosion.

Alongside technical measures, PGB is also investing in people to cater for the affected community from the Putra Heights incident. "We opened a consultation centre with Hospital Putrajaya for affected families, launched mental health and resilience support, and created the ANA - Awareness and Action - programme to engage communities living near our right-of-way.

For PGB, the incident is not just an operational challenge but a learning moment for the industry. "This was unprecedented. In 40 years of operating our pipelines, nothing like this has happened. But we are learning and adapting. We will continue investing in new technology and closer community partnerships so that infrastructure and communities can thrive safely side by side," Abdul Aziz said.

While PGB cannot control urban growth, Abdul Aziz believes lessons from Putra Heights can strengthen future planning and safety. "The priority now is restoring lives and homes. However, moving forward, this incident has reminded everyone, such as operators, regulators, developers and residents, that safety is shared. Growth must come with knowledge and responsibility," he said.

Abdul Aziz noted that critical infrastructure and thriving communities can coexist, but it requires planning, awareness and cooperation.