Project implementation weaknesses to blame for landslide – Fadillah
Borneo Post Online, 14 Jun 2013
PENAMPANG: The Ministry of Works is proposing a new manual and guidelines for developers and contractors to ensure their projects are safe.
Its minister, Datuk Fadillah Yusof, said an expert group had been formed under the ministry to do research and studies on the matter, which would need at least three months to be completed.
“The proposal will allow our ministry to work closely with the Ministry of Human Resources, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and other relevant ministries to discuss with contractors, developers and their workers on safety issues in any government or private projects nationwide.
“I warn all developers and contractors to comply with laws, otherwise they will face legal action from the government. I will be seeking advice from legal advisers and from the Attorney General’s Office on how we can take action against those who should be responsible for landslides or any accidents involving any developments and constructions in Malaysia,” he said.
Fadillah said this after inspecting the collapsed stretch of Penampang-Tambunan Road at Km 20.
He said legal action was not meant to penalise contractors, developers or any individuals responsible for the incidents but it would be a lesson for all parties to comply with the guidelines and laws.
“If we have a piece of land, it does not mean we have all our rights to develop it. We must ensure all developments are safe without risking the lives of the people.
“That is one of the reason why we are proposing a new manual and guidelines. The research and studies by the expert group will find out if we need to add more laws or we proceed with it and approach the relevant parties in a new way,” he added.
He said the manual would make construction sites have a standard of good governance which would need to be implemented by all stakeholders involved in any development.
Fadillah added that weaknesses in implementation of development had caused the landslide at Km 20 Penampang-Tambunan Road but the government and its concession company had taken immediate action to connect the road before a proper road could be completed.
Earlier, Fadillah also inspected two on-going Trans-Borneo Highway project sites.
He said the current four-lane 6km Kota Kinabalu-Lok Kawi Road would be upgraded into a six-lane road, and the 14km Lok Kawi-Donggongon Road would be upgraded to a four-lane road.
After the inspection, Fadillah also paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at Sri Gaya, to discuss on how both federal and state governments could work together to identify priority development projects in the state.
Also accompanying Fadillah during the inspection was deputy minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.
