KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): Professional bodies on Wednesday urged a comprehensive review of safety measures for fire-prone facilities near residential areas, following a Petronas gas pipeline breach that caused a massive blaze on Tuesday, injuring hundreds and damaging numerous properties.

"One major concern is the proximity of the combustible facility to nearby residential areas," said the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) in a statement. "The adequacy of existing safety measures and protections must be thoroughly reviewed and, if necessary, upgraded."

The engineering body has some 42,000-odd members across the country.

Meanwhile, the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Cluster of the Academy of Professors Malaysia (APM), in a separate statement, highlighted right of way — the legal space in which construction can happen — protection as crucial for maintaining pipeline integrity.

It said this requires ongoing public awareness, responsible land-use practices and strict enforcement by relevant authorities.

APM added that integrated pipeline integrity risk management is also essential.

It said strategies that combine design excellence, proactive inspections, predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring and data analytics must be enhanced to prevent future incidents.

Looking forward, resilience should focus on future investments in smart technologies, improved cross-agency collaboration and strengthened institutional preparedness to ensure better infrastructure safety.

APM also called for the investigation into the incident to be carried out independently and transparently.

APM was established in 2019 at the suggestion of the Cabinet. It is a think tank that combines the expertise and mobilises the strategic thinking of professors to develop the society.

As at 1pm, Subang Jaya police chief ACP Wan Azlan Wan Mamat reportedly said a total of 111 victims are still receiving treatment at hospitals for their injuries, with another 529 accommodated at two relief centres. He also reported that damaged properties totalled 235, with 399 vehicles affected.

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