A gas fire, fatal road crashes involving FRU personnel and UPSI students, and a hiker’s death cast a shadow over Malaysia in a year of tragic lessons
KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2025 will be remembered for a series of heartbreaking tragedies that shook Malaysia, claiming lives and exposing gaps in safety and preparedness.
One of the most shocking events occurred on the second day of Aidilfitri when a gas pipeline fire erupted in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.
The Petronas gas pipeline fire sent flames over 30 metres high with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius.
Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly eight hours before it was fully extinguished.
The tragedy saw 81 houses completely destroyed and another 81 partially damaged.
Then Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan later confirmed no element of mischief, sabotage, or negligence in the explosion.
A few weeks later, tragedy struck again when a gravel-laden lorry collided with a truck carrying 18 Federal Reserve Unit members in Teluk Intan, Perak.
The crash, caused by poor maintenance of the heavy vehicle, claimed the lives of nine FRU personnel and injured nine others.
In less than a month, the nation was plunged into grief once more when 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students perished in the deadliest road accident in a decade.
A bus carrying 42 students crashed on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, while travelling from Terengganu to Perak.
A preliminary report revealed the bus had been travelling at more than twice the speed limit.
Adding to the year’s sorrow, hiker Mustaqqeem Mansoor was found dead on Gunung Liang after going missing during an expedition.
He had set out with 10 friends from Bukit Fraser but fell behind due to leg pain.
Mustaqqeem was found at the summit with slight nasal bleeding believed to be caused by hypothermia.
These events offer a sobering lesson that safety must never be taken for granted.
As 2025 draws to a close, each tragedy stands as a reminder of the precious human stories behind every statistic. – Bernama
