Call for regular safety audit on all jetties

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal and state governments have been urged to direct the relevant authorities to undertake safety audits of all jetties and other facilities under their jurisdiction.

The call was made by safety advocate Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye in the wake of Monday’s partial collapse of a jetty on Pulau Anak Tikus near the resort island of Langkawi that injured 12 people.

“Jetties, especially wooden ones, must be frequently checked and safety audits must be carried out on such facilities as their condition could deteriorate due to wear and tear, inclement weather and the corrosive sea water.

“They must be constantly monitored to ensure safety,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Those involved in the tourism industry, he said, should adopt good occupational safety and health management and practices to reduce the number of accidents and health problems in the sector.

Meanwhile, in Langkawi, Langkawi Development Authority Geoparks Division manager Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari said seven jetties around Kilim Karst Geoforest Park had been temporarily closed for safety audits. The jetties include the ones at Pulau Anak Tikus, Gua Cherita, Gua Langsir, Teluk Mempelam, Teluk Cina Mati and Tasik Dalam.

“Maintenance and upgrading work will be expedited to ensure these jetties are safe for use.

We are deeply saddened by what has happened and are taking immediate measures to ensure that there is not repeat of the incident,” he told Bernama.