Rockfall tragedy: Perak gov’t awaits reports before deciding next steps

 

The Perak government will consider various technical reports before deciding its next steps regarding Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village.

This came after a falling rock there killed a 44-year-old yesterday, prompting authorities to order the cultural village to be closed.

“The current situation at Qing Xin Ling involves whether the areas at the foot of the hill are safe due to geological issues”, Perak State Housing and Local Government Committee chairperson Sandrea Ng Shy Ching told Malaysiakini today.

She said various technical departments are now conducting an investigation, including the Mineral and Geoscience Department which visited the site this morning.

Ng also said the Ipoh City Council does not have the technical or professional capacity to make such assessments, so it would rely on the decisions and instructions of these departments.

“Now that an accident has occurred, it (Qing Xin Lin) is closed indefinitely.

“We will also have to wait for the report on further investigations by the technical departments before we see how to proceed.

“The cause of the incident is still under investigation by the technical departments, and for now, there is no clear answer,” she added.

To a question, Ng confirmed there is a collaboration between Qing Xin Ling’s operator and the Ipoh City Council, but she is unsure of the cooperation model and whether this constitutes a joint partnership.

She said this cooperation has been ongoing for more than two years.

“In Perak, we have many cave temples, limestone hills, and so on. There has never been a standard method to determine whether they can be developed, and what mechanisms can be used to assess and develop them […]

“About two years ago, they (the city council) had some cooperation Qing Xin Ling. The cooperation was that since that area belonged to the government, they (the city council) allowed Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village to operate there and set some regulations for them to follow.

“Of course, after yesterday's incident, we have instructed the city council to provide a detailed report, including what is the cooperation model between the two parties, how they operate, whether there are any permits or approvals for certain matters, and so on.

“This detailed report is to clarify details of the collaboration as it started over two years ago,” she said.

Earlier today, Sinchew Daily quoted the village’s operator Cheng Swee Kiat saying that Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village has been operating in joint partnership with the Ipoh City Council since two and a half years ago.

According to Bernama, the Ipoh City Council confirmed that the Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village has been ordered to cease operations until investigations are completed, in line with the standard operating procedures.

The council said it is awaiting reports and findings of investigations by the police and other relevant agencies before issuing further statements or taking further action.

Meanwhile, Bernama quoted Perak Tourism, Industry, Investment, and Corridor Development Committee chairperson Loh Sze Yee as saying that the government had previously formed a committee to review standard operating procedures for safety around limestone-based tourist attractions across the state.

Perak Tourism, Industry, Investment, and Corridor Development Committee chairperson Loh Sze Yee

The committee’s ongoing studies were initially focused on places of worship, but its scope was expanded earlier this year to encompass additional areas.

“Looking at Perak or Ipoh itself, hillside areas have been developed for tourism, cafes, and more. So, we recognise the necessity for a policy framework to guarantee the safety of both operators and visitors, prioritising the safety of everyone,” he reportedly told reporters after visiting Qing Xin Ling.

According to Ipoh police chief Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad, the incident occurred yesterday morning and the police were alerted at 11:30am that day.

Bernama quoted him saying that the victim was a tourist bus driver who had taken tourists from Vietnam to Ipoh for sightseeing when a rock fell on his head. He died of severe head injuries on the spot.

However, Oriental Daily quoted the victim’s younger brother saying that the deceased was a car workshop owner, not a tourist bus driver as reported.

He said his brother had just gone to Qing Xing Ling Leisure and Cultural Village for sightseeing with friends when tragedy struck. - Mkini