‘Use full force of the law’
KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities should not hesitate to use the full force of the law if the Sungai BesiUlu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) construction site tragedy in Alam Damai, Cheras, had resulted from negligence.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, commenting on the incident where three construction workers died after a gantry crane compartment collapsed at the construction site, said it was crucial for the authorities to establish who was responsible for the tragedy as it involved not just lives but also public trust.
“The authorities have to investigate the cause and determine who is responsible. Overall, the contractor is in charge of ensuring safety.
“At the same time, the authorities should also investigate whether there was negligence. If this is proven, then the full force of the law should be brought down on the perpetrator.
“Those proven negligent should be brought to justice, let the court decide what action should be taken against them. The punishment should commensurate with the offence committed. A severe offence deserves a severe punishment,” he said.
Lee also urged the government to engage the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to restore public confidence in construction industry safety.
“I think it is time for the government to really do more to restore public confidence in the safety of our construction industry. This is key as public confidence has been shattered.
“The government has to sit down with CIDB, the main player of the construction industry, to do more to save lives, not only for the workers but also the public as a whole.
“To all those involved in the construction industry, my advice to them is that they must not pay lip service to safety.
“Now and then, people talk about safety but often times it is only lip service. They don’t really put into practice all the standard operating procedures.
“Also, sometimes they want to speed up the project and that is when something unfortunate can happen,” he said.