Penang CM: Bukit Kukus landslide occurred owing to lack of worksite safety

PENANG (Jan 4): The Bukit Kukus landslide occurred owing to the lack of worksite safety, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured).

Chow also revealed that state authorities have so far received two reports on the tragedy -- from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the special state committee investigating the incident, reported The Star today.

He also said that the Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) will also make an announcement on its findings.

“DOSH is the authority on worksite safety. We will wait for the final report by DOSH and then make the appropriate decisions based on its findings,” Chow told the English daily.

The Penang CM said that after DOSH makes its recommendations public, it is hoped that the stop-work order would be lifted on the Bukit Kukus worksite.

Meanwhile in the same report, Penang DOSH director Jaafar Leman said the department had asked the present contractor of the worksite to produce a list of safety measures for the project.

“It’s essentially safety issues and we have asked them to reply us on what and how they plan to implement the measures,” said Jaafar.

“It is good of the Chief Minister to give DOSH some space to carry out our work,” he added.