GEORGE TOWN, July 8 — The Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH) must complete its inquiry into the collapse of a section of the Penang Umno tower building that resulted in two deaths by next week, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“DOSH must conduct a speedy conclusion on the collapse by next week similar to that of the inquiry into the collapse of the ramp of the Penang second bridge that had happened exactly a week earlier,” he said in a press statement issued today.
The DAP secretary-general (picture) pointed out that there was only the space of a week’s difference between both incidents which means DOSH should be able to complete its investigations into the collapse of a section of the Umno building where its lightning arrestor and concrete beam had plunged to the road below killing two people.
“The DOSH director general Datuk Dr Johari Basri revealed last week that DOSH’s investigations into the collapse of the ramp of the Penang second bridge has indicated shortcomings due to negligence which resulted in the loss of one life,” he said.
Johari had also said the incident was due to negligence by the contractor, involving both procedural and technical aspects, and that DOSH was preparing to file charges and commence discussions with the public prosecutor to get consent.
The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) had issued a stop-work order over the entire span of the RM3 billion Penang second bridge project until a full safety audit has been conducted to ensure that it is not in danger of collapse.
Lim said the Penang state government will not authorise permits for any events or activities to be held on the second bridge until the stop-work order is lifted and the all clear is given in relation to structural safety and stability.
Even the upcoming Penang International Bridge Marathon this November which was supposed to be held on the second bridge will be relocated to the first Penang Bridge.
The ramp of the second bridge, which was still under construction, collapsed on June 7, killing a passing motorist Tajudin Zainal Abidin and a week later, during a freak storm, the lightning arrestor along with a concrete beam of the Umno building along Macalister Road fell to the road below, killing a lorry co-driver Jahir Hussain Sulaiman and burying economy rice seller, Lim Chin Aik, deep in the ground.
Chin Aik’s body was never recovered from the crater and the building owner, architect and civil engineer have until today to submit a full report on the cause of the structural failure that resulted in the tragedy to the council.
