MCA Selangor has issued a renewed call for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, criticising the recent “No Further Action” (NFA) conclusion by the Selangor State Government as inadequate, unjust, and deeply hurtful to victims still reeling from the tragedy.
Ir. Lawrence Low, Chairman of the MCA Selangor State Liaison Committee and MCA Vice President, said in a strongly worded statement that although three months have passed since the explosion, affected residents remain stuck in limbo, “abandoned, confused, and desperate for justice.”
Citing the Selangor government’s investigation report which claimed the incident was not due to negligence or human error, Low said this conclusion offers no closure or accountability, and leaves victims without clear recourse or compensation.
“With my team from MCA Selangor, we engaged with the Topaz Putra Harmoni Residents’ Association in a heartfelt and sobering dialogue today,” he stated. “We witnessed first-hand the emotional and financial toll residents continue to bear. For them, this is not just a technical report, it is about homes shattered, livelihoods lost, and peace of mind stolen.”
He criticised the aid process as being riddled with bureaucracy, describing it as “so mired in red tape that it borders on impossible.” While aid had been announced, Low said residents were met with “vague procedures, shifting requirements, and little to no guidance.”
A critical concern is that many of the homeowners are still within their property warranty period, yet the NFA ruling leaves them with no clear path forward, and no one held accountable for the damage and trauma.
“If the explosion was not due to human error or negligence, then who is responsible? Who will pay for what has been taken from these families?” he questioned.
Low also raised alarm over the lack of transparency in the aftermath. Without clear findings or legal accountability, residents living above other gas pipelines remain fearful. “How can families sleep soundly at night when they don’t know if this will happen again?” he asked.
Calling the issue a “national necessity,” Low urged the Prime Minister to establish an RCI composed of independent legal, engineering, and geological experts. He insisted that findings must be reported not only to the government but also to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the public.
Additionally, he urged the Selangor State Government to issue a White Paper. “Refusal to do so raises serious questions. Where is the post-mortem, the action plan, the institutional learning? Without reforms, we risk more explosions, more victims, and more grief,” he warned.
MCA Selangor has provided on-the-ground support since the explosion, setting up free legal aid and assistance with insurance claims. Low pledged continued backing through petitions, legal action, and policy proposals, and added that MCA is prepared to draft and submit a full White Paper if the state government fails to act.
“We cannot accept silence. We will not tolerate inaction,” Low said. “The victims of Putra Heights deserve more than sympathy. They deserve justice, accountability, and a system that prioritises people before process.”
