Developers to cooperate in probe

GEORGE TOWN: The developer of the affordable housing project site where a landslide killed 11 of its construction workers last Saturday, has pledged to cooperate with the authorities in their investigations into the tragedy.

Taman Sri Bunga Sdn Bhd’s legal adviser Lim Choo Hooi said in a statement the company had obtained the necessary approval from the authorities to start work.

“We have employed reputable consultants and contractors to comply with the safety procedures at the site.”

Lim said they will team up with independent consultants to investigate the cause of the tragedy.

“A consulting engineering firm Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd (Penang) has been appointed to perform the task, he added.

The statement followed concerns raised by the victims’ families and community leaders on whether the developer will be accountable to those affected by the tragedy.

In another development, the state government said it will seek the consent of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas to form the state commission inquiry to investigate the tragedy.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference yesterday that the proposed inquiry board will comprise among others, former Bar Council president Datuk Yeo Yang Poh as chairman, hillside development experts Datuk Dr Gue See Sew and Prof Dr Ramli Nasir from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor.

Earlier, many housebuyers were undecided on their next move after purchasing the units at the project site.

A bank staff who wants to be known as Leow, 30, told theSun he might forgo the unit which he had bought.

He had paid more than RM10,000 in deposit a few months ago. He hoped that he would get a refund. Andy Lee, 35, said he would continue to service his loan for the unit he purchased.

However his family has advised him not to move in.