Baru demands Petronas shut down SSPG after latest incident
MIRI: Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has demanded Petronas to permanently shut down its Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) following the latest incident that claimed one life and injured two others at Long Ugui, Lawas yesterday.
He also called for independent qualified international experts to be brought in to make a thorough inspection on the entire stretch of the pipeline, which has recorded five leakages and explosions since 2014.
“This a ernoon, the fears of the people who live and work near the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline were realised when a deadly explosion claimed the life of one victim.
“Since 2014, I have been pressing Petronas to improve on the safety aspects of the pipeline, as there have been at least five incidents of leakages and explosions, the last one being in Sept this year,” he said in a statement.
He said the people, especially those living along the SSGP, cannot continue to be put at risk of death and injury from such an incident, especially when Petronas had always blamed soil movement as the cause.
“I understand from my sources that the leak which led to the explosion may have been caused by soil movement.
“That has been the most common reason given by Petronas for the past incidents. Whatever the cause may be, we cannot allow our people to be at risk of death and injury from explosions that happen when there’s soil movement,” he said.
Baru also demanded Petronas to reveal its plans to prevent similar incidents from recurring, adding that a er several explosions involving the SSGP, he had lost his confidence in Petronas.
“A er all their reassurances, leaks and explosions are still happening. I do not believe that the pipeline is safe at all, and I doubt that it was built according to stringent safety standards,” he said.
Baru also said that the pipeline, which helps Petronas to reap millions if not billions in profit, does not benefit the people of Lawas who live and work in its vicinity.
“In fact, it is a hazard to their lives and safety,” he said.