Chaotic Explosion, Sabah

Residents here, in Sabah and around Temburong in Brunei had the fright of their lives when they saw bright lights and smoke in the night sky that lasted for about two hours early yesterday morning. It was believed that the incident was caused by explosion from the underground Sabah-Sarawak gas pipeline (SSGP) at 1.58am. According to Limbang fire chief Anuar Shazat Merdzuki, the explosion occurred at Bukit Beriwan, quite a distance away from the nearest settlement area. “A total of six personnel in two fire engines led by Lawas Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohamad Shamlie Radae rushed to the scene around 1.59am after we received a distress call from the nearby villagers,” he said when contacted yesterday. He said the team only arrived at the location at 3.38am as it was far and they had to go through a logging road. Upon arriving at the scene, he said the team discovered that the fire had been successfully put under control by a firefighting team from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and because it was raining when the explosion occurred. He added that the team took speedy action by closing the pipeline to stop further explosions. “Although the fire was fully under control by 3.48am, we still had to cordon off the area to prevent the public from going into the area,” he said. He revealed that his department with the cooperation of Petronas would form an investigation team to inspect and determine the cause of the explosion. Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd confirmed in a press statement issued by Petronas Sarawak Regional Office that the fire occurred at the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) around 2am yesterday.

The incident occurred at a location of the SSGP in Lawas district, about 135km from the Sabah Oil & Gas Terminal in Kimanis, Sabah, which is the starting point of the pipeline. Petronas assured that the fire had been extinguished and no injury was reported. It said the incident did not affect any of the communities along the pipeline, the closest of which is located 9km away from the incident area. The statement added that the authorities have been informed and an investigation on the incident is being carried out. Meanwhile, Lawas acting police chief ASP Mutang Nawat said the explosion was believed to be caused by gas leakage from the pipeline. He confirmed that there was no report of fatality or injuries. However, according to a source, the explosion damaged an area of about 300 metres in radius and caused minor injuries to two oil palm plantation workers while they were patrolling on a motorcycle. The source also said the motorcycle was completely burned. Responding to the explosion, Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian held a press conference in Kuching yesterday calling for a thorough investigation into the explosion of a gas pipeline near Long Lesina early yesterday. Baru said he received several calls from concerned villagers, including those from Long Remirang and Kampung Tunas Baru.

“Everybody was shocked by the huge explosion this morning (yesterday) from a gas pipeline, some thought it was the end of the world. “So, it is hoped that the authorities, Petronas in particular, would carry out a thorough investigation to find out the reason and make the findings public.” The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state chief claimed villagers were running helter-skelter following the explosion, adding that the fire could be seen from as far as Lawas. “The people are now very worried because the gas is believed to be toxic and hazardous to their health and even may cause death,” he said. Baru also questioned the safety of the pipeline, saying Long Barayung, Long Tuyo, Long Sukang and Long Berunut, which are also located near it, have a population of over 2,000.