Lee asks for transparency in probe on ‘yet another collapse in Terengganu’
BorneoPost Online, 1 October 2013
SIBU: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye calls for the latest incident of a fallen roof and ceiling of the Kampung Tebauk Mosque in Bukit Tunggal, Terengganu, to be thoroughly investigated.
In an email statement to The Borneo Post yesterday, Lee urged the Department of Occupational Safety and Health to ascertain why and how the roof collapsed.
“What comes to mind when parts of any structure collapse is the question of poor design, shoddy construction, cutting corners, and use of inferior building materials.
“As such, incidents of such nature should also be investigated by the Public Works Department and also the MACC as the issue of integrity also come into play,” Lee suggested.
He added: “I read with utmost concern (of) yet another case of a fallen roof and ceiling of the Kampung Tebauk Mosque in Bukit Tunggal, Terengganu. In May this year the roof of Kampung Binjai Kertas
mosque in Terengganu also collapsed.
“Although in both incidents there were no injuries or fatalities, the crux of the issue is ‘why did they collapse?’
“In 2009 a major part of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak collapsed just a year after it was officially opened for the Malaysia Games.
“In February this year, five workers were injured while dismantling the stadium’s roof after its steel supporting structure gave way.”
Another issue of concern was why so many (such) incidents happened in Terengganu, a state known for its charming landscape but now faced with a safety problem of its construction projects, he said in expressing concern.
These reported incidents had brought into question the subject of construction safety which
must be looked into seriously by the relevant authority in the interest of public safety, he stressed.
“As this is a matter of public interest I wish to suggest to the authorities concerned not only to conduct a very thorough investigation but also make public the reports of the investigation.
“As part of government transformation, it is high time that we make it a practice to go transparent in all investigation so that the findings will be made known in the public interest and important lessons can be learnt while those responsible and negligent must be brought to justice,” Lee concluded.
