KERTEH, Sept 21 — More than 20 occupants of a tahfiz school here will be relocated today as a precautionary measure following a Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) pipeline leak at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project site yesterday.
Kemaman police chief Mohd Razi Rosli said that though the religious school is located some 2km from the site, early action is necessary to ensure the safety of the occupants due to the potential risk of air pollution if wind directions shift.
“Although the location is quite far, we are concerned the wind might carry contaminated air towards the school … so we decided to relocate them earlier.
“The relocation will be carried out today before nightfall to avoid any risk. Our officers have already coordinated with the school management,” he told Bernama at the operations control centre at the site today.
Razi also advised people against approaching the site as this could expose them to contaminated air.
He urged the public to avoid open burning as the gas could spread with the wind and create hazardous conditions.
“All activities in the nearby forest area should also be temporarily halted,” he said.
Razi reassured the public that the situation is under control and urged them not to panic and instead comply with directives issued by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the company involved in the incident has been ordered to submit a full report to the Terengganu Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH).
In a statement today, Terengganu DOSH said it would investigate and take legal action if there are violations of provisions under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
Under the Act, employers convicted may face a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
The statement also said a team of Terengganu DOSH officers had visited the site to conduct preliminary investigations into the incident.
“A prohibition notice has been issued on all construction activities in the area until it is confirmed safe,” the statement read.
Terengganu DOSH assured all agencies are working closely to ensure the situation remains under control, adding that no injuries had been reported so far.
It said PGB had closed two main valves to contain the leak and was carrying out gas evacuation works on the pipeline.
“The process is expected to take at least three days. The area has been declared a restricted zone with 24-hour security by the Royal Malaysia Police. Members of the public are strictly prohibited from approaching the site to avoid any safety risks,” it said.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that police had closed the main Kerteh-Ranggon road to all vehicles due to a leak along a PGB butane pipeline at the ECRL Section 5 site in Kerteh.
An emergency call was received at 9.53am reporting the leak of the flammable gas, which is about 2km from the main road and did not affect any village or residential area.
