The Penang government will hold a full state inquiry into the causes of the accident which led to a massive landslide at a construction area in Tanjung Bungah, which claimed three lives.
Speaking to reporters at the site, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he will propose the move to his state executive councillors soon, to obtain their approval on the matter.
"We are shocked to learn about the incident, it is a tragedy.
"This is a serious case, a normal inquiry is not enough, we need a full state inquiry into the causes of the accident which happened at the work site so that further action can be taken," Lim said.
"The families of those who died and those still buried under the landslide need satisfactory answers as to how the accident occurred, they have the right to know what happened," Lim added.
The landslide occurred this morning, about 8.30am. At present, 11 bodies are still trapped and are being recovered by the Fire and Rescue Department.
Among those who died, one is a Malaysian, the other two were Bangladeshi workers.
The Penang government had conducted two such inquiries before, in 2013 when a part of an illegal structure fell off the roof of an Umno building on Jalan Macalister, killing three.
A similar inquiry was also held in the same year when part of the ram attached to the second Penang bridge in Bayan Lepas, collapsed, killing one.
Lim extended his condolences to the families of those who perished in the landslide.
Some of the families have come to the site, located at Lorong Lembah Permai 3 in Tanjung Bungah, where the project involves 900 units of affordable housing.
"We hope reporters will give them some space," said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general.
"As for those still trapped, we pray for a miracle," Lim said.
Penang Island City Council mayor Maimunah Sharif has issued an immediate stop work order to the private developer, vowing appropriate action after the causes of the landslide is determined.
Meanwhile Penang police chief Chuah Ghee Lye said a special search and rescue team from Putrajaya is helping to recover the remaining 11 still trapped under the muddy rubble.
In a statement today, the project developer expressed deep regret over the incident.
Taman Sri Bunga Sdn Bhd said the firm had taken reasonable steps and had always been responsible in conducting periodic maintenance works on the land.
"In fact, the incident happened while we were working on the soil nailing works to further enhance the stability of the temporary slope to facilitate the construction.
"The sudden incident that happened was unexpected," said the developer.
The company said it had immediately responded to the disaster to minimise further casualties and had set up its own investigation team to work alongside the authorities to discover the cause of the incident.
"We also hereby send our deep condolences to the family members of the casualties and we are ready to assist and answer any further inquiries on the matter," the developer added.- Mkini
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