The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has asked how construction was allowed to progress without government approval at a site in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
"Suhakam is perplexed that despite the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s (NRE) rejection of the application for the construction, the development progressed.
"This calls into question government enforcement procedures and inspection," Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail said in a statement today.
Razali said Suhakam was saddened and angered by a landslide that occurred at the site on Saturday, which killed 11 people.
He said that all parties concerned, including the government, must be accountable for the deaths and not "shrug off" their commitment to occupational health and safety.
Razali did not specify if the commission was referring to the federal or Penang state government.
The NRE said it had previously rejected the project's application for construction.
This was due to the fact that there was no buffer zone between the construction site and a nearby granite quarry, making it dangerous for future inhabitants.
Penang mayor Maimunah Sharif, however, said the project was approved by the Mineral and Geoscience Department, and that the developer had complied with safety guidelines.
Besides a lack of enforcement of occupational safety standards, Razali said the tragedy also raised serious questions about safety measures at construction sites.
He said complaints lodged to the commission showed that construction and low-skilled migrant workers were among the most vulnerable "to exploitation and abuse" and to "irresponsible and/or negligent" labour practices.
"In this regard, Suhakam calls on the developers, government and responsible parties to make available all risk assessments undertaken in relation to the development," Razali added.
He said compensation to families of the victims should be made immediately without being "stressful or demeaning".- Mkini
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