BY: HAFEZ SAIDIN

The gas explosion at a Petronas facility in Putra Heights which subsequently triggered a blazing inferno which destroyed neighbouring homes, cars and other property has opened the eyes of shocked Malaysians.

In a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, Malaysian infrastructure experts are now asking and seeking for an urgent review of high risk facilities located within the premises of neighbourhoods.

It’s a case of coming in late when these factors should have been taken into account and factored before construction of such facilities and not trying to undo the damage once it is done which seems to be the case in this country.

The fact that there was no Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken is obvious and this is the case in many construction facilities around the country where in the pursuit of creating wealth and development they do not adhere to the rules and regulations.

When are Malaysians ever going to learn and when would business entities realise that there are limits to how much destruction, rape and plundering of Mother Nature that can be done before there is a backlash.

There is no such thing as limitless development and instead, what this nation needs to realise is that they must strictly strive and abide by sustainable development, or be prepared to face the onslaught of the forces of nature.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher