PANEL TO PROBE BUKIT KUKUS INCIDENT
It will identify cause of landslide, parties responsible, says CM
THE Penang government will set up a committee to investigate the landslide incident at the Bukit Kukus paired road project site, which has claimed nine lives.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman would lead the committee, while Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari would be a member.
He said the committee would investigate the cause of the landslide and identify the parties responsible.
“We have received the initial report from the Penang Island City Council and a written report from the Irrigation and Drainage Department.
“We have found issues of non-compliance at the project site.
“The committee will invite the Institution of Engineers Malaysia Penang branch to assist in the investigation.”
The project site was devastated by a landslide following heavy rain on Friday.
Three people have been rescued, while nine bodies have been retrieved from the site. A searchand-rescue operation was called off at 5.30pm on Tuesday.
The project has been slapped with a Stop Work Order by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) and the City Council.
Chow said the investigation by the committee would be on top of investigations helmed by other agencies, including DOSH and the Construction Industry Development Board.
“The City Council is not involved in the committee as it is the stakeholder and owner of the project.”
He ordered government agencies to review the safety measures in ongoing and upcoming infrastructure and development projects in the state.
He said priority should be given to safety regulations and environmental protection to prevent such incidents from recurring.