‘No compromise with errant contractors, parties’
KUALA LUMPUR: The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive Datuk Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid expressed regret over the incident, adding that CIDB will not compromise with contractors or any parties found to have failed in their responsibility to ensure safety at sites regardless if works were ongoing or had been completed and could be hazardous to the public.
He said according to the CIDB Act, a contractor would be liable to a fine of not more than RM500,000 or a jail term of less than two years, or both, if found guilty should death result from the breach of duty to ensure safety of the construction.
The Kuala Lumpur CIDB enforcement team has gone to the site to conduct a thorough probe, he said, adding that contractors must do all they can to ensure safety of the people by facilitating traffic diversions and road closures during the high-risk phase of construction.
As the incident involving Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) was not the first time, several quarters had called for the authorities to ensure that the project contractor adheres to the strictest level of safety.
Meanwhile, the National Road Users Association (PPJK) has called for a special committee to be set up immediately to study the cause of accidents involving construction sites nationwide.
Its president, Mohammad Hisham Shafie, said the move would pave the way for further inspections to be carried out following several incidents involving construction sites of late.
He said the level of safety in such areas should be given priority as it involved the lives of the people, including road users.
“We are not done on the issue of two deaths before, now we are facing a new tragedy, today (yesterday),” he said.
On March 3, two people were killed when an iron scaffolding under the construction of SUKE collapsed on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) after being hit by a trailer.
“PPJK hopes that the work at the construction site would be stopped while a thorough inspection and investigation on the safety level is carried out,” he added.
Hisham said the committee could provide a comprehensive picture of the incident to enable follow -up action to be taken.
Although standard operating procedures were adhered to, he said, it remained risky especially if the construction project was carried out near the main road.
MCA spokesman Mike Chong Yew Chuan, who described the incident as unacceptable, said all works must stop indefinitely until the project contractor was able to guarantee safety and explain what went wrong.
“This project has already caused traffic problems as well as caused great emotional stress to residents.
“With the latest fatalities today (yesterday), locals will be pushed further into anxiety over possible loss of life,” he said.
Selayang member of parliament William Leong said all works should be halted until all inspections and audits on the project were completed.
“We must ensure that all safety conditions are adhered too. Safety is the most important component to deter any accident and the company must comply with all the rules as well as legal aspects of it.
“We hope the authorities will take this seriously and be responsible so as to ensure such an incident does not recur,” he said.