‘Contractors failed to comply with four guidelines’
GEORGE TOWN: The contractor of the Bukit Kukus paired road project had failed to adhere to four guidelines throughout the course of construction, and this possibly resulted in the landslide.
State Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this was identified following an inspection by the Erosion and Sediment Control Committee on Oct 8.
He said among the failures were leaving the upper part of the land exposed without mulching or installation of grass, and not covering the slopes with geotextile material.
“The contractor also failed to install a silt fence at the slopes at the project site. Sediment pond, erosion pond and other components also failed to fulfil the guidelines of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP).
“All these failures are found to be the reasons for the landslide, with the checks done at the highest plot of the project site.
“Following that, a notice has been issued to the contractor to comply with all the guidelines within 14 days.
“Failure to do so will see the committee penalising the contractor, including compound fines and a stop-work order,”
Previously, the Mineral and Geoscience Department had found a natural stream flowing downhill, sparking fears that more landslides could be triggered in Bukit Kukus.
Zairil said the contractor failed to alert the authorities about the stream, and whether technical work had been done or needed to be done to stop or divert it to the other side of the construction area.
“The inspection of the site was done based on the report received from the Penang Hill Watch, which highlighted that this could happen, back in Sept 28.
“However, we did not have the project construction plan and the inspection was only done based on the ESCP.
“We will not compromise with any non-compliance at any project sites in the state.”
Asked if the state government would take action against the contractor, he said the decision had yet to be finalised, pending a full report on the incident.
“We are also unsure if the project can go on or otherwise because the report has yet to be completed.
“What I can say is that for now, the project will go on until a final decision is made later.
“Appropriate action will be taken against the contractor if there is evidence of professional negligence at the site.
“However, we will let the investigation be completed first.”
State Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Moktar said the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation, in its fifth day yesterday, could be called off if there were no new indicators or findings.
He said rescuers would resume the operation to move the tonnes of debris from the landslide site in search of possible victims, at another five per cent of the coverage area.
“We will then deploy the K9 Unit for a final sweep of the whole area to ensure there are no more victims.
“If there’re no new leads after the operation, we may call off the SAR,” he told the New Straits Times Press.