Mosque ceiling collapses
New Straits Times Online, 30 September 2013
The damaged interior of the Kampung Tebauk mosque in Kampung Bukit Tunggal, Kuala Terengganu, which was bulit at a cost of RM2.5 million and was completed in 2011. Pic by Imran Makhzan
RM5.6M BUILDING: No one was injured in the 4am incident in Kuala Terengganu kampung
KUALA TERENGGANU: IN yet another case of a roof or ceiling collapsing in the state, residents of Kampung Tebauk who went for morning prayers yesterday were shocked to discover that the ceiling of the open prayer hall had caved in.
However, no one was injured in the incident, which was believed to have occurred at 4am.
According to mosque committee member Mohd Jamal Ngah, 50, the mosque's muezzin, Man Mat, in his 60s, was the first to discover the collapse.
State secretary Datuk Mazlan Ngah, who visited the mosque at noon, said he was saddened by the incident as it was the second incident involving a mosque this year, after the foyer roof of the Kampung Binjai Kertas mosque in Hulu Terengganu collapsed in May.
He said the state Public Works Department (PWD) had informed him that it would look into the design and construction of the supporting structure together with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
"The RM5.6 million mosque was completed in 2011, and the villagers have been using it since Hari Raya Aidiladha that year."
Mazlan said the PWD would isolate the electrical wiring of the open prayer hall to avoid any untoward incidents.
State Science, Technology, Environment, Green Technology and Water Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said further investigations must be carried out before deciding whether the prayer hall was safe to be used.
"The fact that the prayer hall is connected to the damaged portion is a cause for concern.
"PWD needs to ensure it is safe for use."
He said construction of the mosque began in January 2010 and was completed on Oct 24 the following year.
"There are a few suspected causes (of the collapse). One of them is the design.
"Another is the materials used for the installation.
"Most probably, as in previous cases, the collapse could have been caused by materials or installation that were not according to the plans or specifications."
He said the estimated cost of repairing the ceiling was between RM200,000 and RM250,000.
State PWD director Datuk Shafii Mohammad said it would blacklist the materials supplier as they had given the assurance that the structure would last for at least 10 years.
"They will also have to give an explanation as to why (the structure) collapsed."
Shafii added that the ceiling and roof were still under warranty and the suppliers and main contractor will have to replace it.
"The warranty for the roof and ceiling works is for 10 years.
"Since the construction of mosque was completed only two years ago, there are still eight years left on the warranty."
