‘Batang Kali tragedy report ready, awaiting feedback from agencies’

 

The report on the landslide tragedy in Batang Kali, Selangor last December is ready, said Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.

However, he said the report has yet to be presented to the cabinet as it is still awaiting feedback from the relevant agencies.

He also said reports and comments from the relevant agencies were required as the incident involved a state road.

“At the PWD (Public Works Department) level, our part has been completed.

“I hope we can get the comments as soon as possible so that the report can be brought to cabinet meeting,” Alexander told reporters after officiating at the 2023 Malaysia PWD Senior Officials Conference today.

Also present were Public Works director-general Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool and state PWD director Ismail Abd Rahman.

Landslide in Batang Kali

Alexander previously said the report on the landslide tragedy, which happened at about 2.30am on Dec 16, 2022, was expected to be completed at the end of June before being presented to cabinet to enable further action to be taken by all parties involved.

The landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm in Jalan Genting, Batang Kali claimed the lives of 18 adults and 13 children, while 61 others survived.

Meanwhile, 420 PWD senior officials comprising state and branch directors, state engineers, senior officers and cadre officers took part in the three-day conference starting today.

Cooperation project documents were also signed between PWD and the Malaysian Space Agency, Petronas and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

“We hope this agreement will increase the use of technology that can reduce costs or at least extend the life of the roads built.

“At the same time, we will see collaboration opportunities between the department’s staff and local researchers with industry players for technology exchange efforts and stimulating intellectual development,” Alexander said.

- Bernama