KL remains safe, mayor gives assurance after sinkhole incident

 

Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif said any claims that the city is unsafe for development must be backed by strong evidence and thorough studies.

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif says there is no solid evidence to support claims that the city is unsafe to live in, following Friday’s Jalan Masjid India sinkhole incident.

Maimunah said Kuala Lumpur had been developed for a long time, and any claims that it was unsafe for development must be backed by strong evidence and thorough studies.

“We have established a task force, which involves the geology department and the public works department, among others, to look into and study this matter.

However, based on the current situation, KL remains safe unless proven otherwise by studies,

 she said at a press conference at Jalan Masjid India today.

Recently, a 2015 Facebook post uploaded by an environmental activist resurfaced and went viral. The activist had claimed that the city was the most unsafe place in Malaysia, with the potential for a 

giant sinkhole

 to open up at any time.

The post further claimed that 40% to 60% of Kuala Lumpur’s foundation consisted of limestone, and that unregulated development and disorganised drainage systems could accelerate the occurrence of a giant sinkhole.

Maimunah nonetheless gave an assurance the situation around Jalan Masjid India and Kuala Lumpur in general was under control and safe for visitors. - FMT