Worried About Hidden Pipelines? Here’s How Malaysians Say You Can Check

Putra Heights was the scene of chaos recently when a gas pipeline exploded, injuring hundreds and forcing many to flee their homes. 

In the days that followed, a wave of concern has spread among Malaysians, with many beginning to question whether their own homes might unknowingly sit near gas pipelines.

Photo via Facebook (Haji Mohd Zaffarollah)

One Malaysian, Xinxin Niyi, turned to her XiaoHongShu account to share important advice on spotting the warning signs of underground pipelines. She clarified that it had not been a petrol station explosion, as some had assumed, but rather a gas pipeline blast. Drawing on a conversation with her husband, she explained that residents could look for yellow Petronas signages placed along roadsides to identify the presence of pipelines.

"These signs are usually found near petrol stations," she wrote. "I even checked Street View on Google Maps and found one just a few kilometres from my house. It’s something worth considering when choosing a place to live."

UMNO Youth Committee Leader for Kota Raya, Haji Mohd Zaffarollah, also addressed the matter, posting on Facebook to explain the significance of the yellow markers. He stated that the signage serves as a warning of Petronas gas pipelines and pointed out that developments in the area since December 2024 had encroached upon a sensitive zone — a change he believes contributed to the explosion.

Separately, another online user highlighted a common misconception: natural gas pipelines are not always located near petrol stations. They noted that Malaysia’s natural gas infrastructure is split between Transmission Pipelines (high pressure, managed by Petronas) and Distribution Pipelines (low pressure, overseen by Gas Malaysia).

For those wishing to check whether a pipeline runs near their home, the user suggested consulting the network maps available on the official websites of Petronas and Gas Malaysia. 

With growing awareness, many Malaysians are now realising the importance of understanding what lies beneath their streets — knowledge that could, one day, save lives.