MUKAH: A geophysics team from the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia will be deployed here tomorrow (Feb 3) to conduct a detailed investigation following the detection of methane gas at the Oya Kaul Festival site on Jan 21.
Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the team would carry out several days of on-site studies using specialised equipment to assess soil conditions before any decision is made on future development.
She said public safety remains the top priority, despite the impact on business activities and construction works at the site.
“Immediate precautionary measures were taken through coordination involving the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Resident’s and District Offices, the Royal Malaysia Police, and local community leaders in Oya.
“The area involves commercial activities as well as embankment works and site development, so early action was necessary to prevent any risk to the public,” she told reporters during a site visit on Saturday (Jan 31).
Fatimah, who is the Dalat assemblywoman, said preliminary findings showed that only one out of four boreholes drilled during a soil investigation released gas, while the other three showed no similar indication.
She added that Bomba continues to monitor the situation to identify the type of gas present, with findings shared with relevant agencies.
Pending the outcome of the geophysical investigation, the affected area has been closed to the public as a safety measure.
She stressed that safety considerations would guide all subsequent decisions on development at the site.
