Tanjung Bungah slope failure manmade tragedy, says Penang CM
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THE Tanjung Bungah landslide, which claimed 11 lives in 2017, was a manmade tragedy caused by a series of successive acts and omissions, including by the engineering consultant, said Penang Chief Minister Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today.
According to Chow, the engineering consultant to the project, Khoo Koon, who appeared for consulting firm KAA Sdn Bhd (KAA), committed 15 breaches.
This was the outcome of a public hearing conducted by the State Commission of Inquiry (SCI) tasked to investigate the landslide.
Chow told a press conference in George Town today that the report will now be sent to ministries and agencies for an investigation and action.
“In the findings of the commission, it is stated that the slope failure was a manmade tragedy and entirely preventable if those responsible had taken the necessary steps to ensure the stability of the slope and the safety of the workers.
“There were ample warnings that were sadly unheeded or inadequately heeded,” he added.
The SCI held a public hearing over 26 days, taking testimonies from 28 witnesses. The report, dated July 22, was then handed to the state government for further action.
“The commission also considered voluminous documents, reports, photographs and drawings, as well as the opinions from six expert witnesses.
“The report provides further analysis on the background facts, excerpts of testimonies recorded during the hearings and findings on liability against several parties.”
The report also contained nine recommendations that the commission hopes would serve as a guideline and prevent such incidents from recurring.
Speaking about the acts of omission on the part of Khoo, Chow said the consultant had only followed the development of the project through telephonic communications without visiting the site.
In the incident on Oct 21, 2017, a temporary slope in the construction site of a high-rise apartment block in Tanjung Bungah failed while workers were trying to stabilise it.
Tonnes of earth came down, killing 11 workers. – August 28, 2019.