KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya will not prevent the family of G. Vijaya Lakshmi, an Indian tourist who is believed to be deceased after falling into a sinkhole at Jalan Masjid India here last month, from seeking compensation through legal means.
Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa (Sekijang-PH) said that while the government through the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has contributed RM30,000 to the victim’s family, the government will not object if certain agencies are hit with legal action. The family also received RM10,000 in donations from the private sector.
“In terms of compensation, the government will not prevent the deceased victim’s family from using legal channels to present their claims against relevant agencies,” the minister told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Zaliha also said that various agencies are collaborating in providing their knowledge and technological expertise to complete the mapping of underground utilities, which is expected to “take some time”.
Noting that her ministry under the Prime Minister’s Department has conducted engagement sessions with traders, especially those affected by the Jalan Masjid India sinkhole, Zaliha said that it will take about three to six more months before the area can be fully utilised as per normal.
She affirmed, however, that Jalan Masjid India is confirmed to be safe for all types of activities after considering the views of various experts and authorities.
In response to a supplementary question from PKR lawmaker P. Prabakaran (Batu-PH) on whether the government will be willing to make public its reports on the incident, Zaliha said that two reports on the disaster will first be presented to the Cabinet.
Stressing that the government remains committed to ensuring transparency, especially in cases which involve public safety, Zaliha said that the outcome of the full investigation into the sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India and surrounding areas is currently in the final evaluation stages by multiple agencies.
This, she said, is being coordinated by the incident commander, the Dang Wangi police chief and DBKL.
The other report set to be presented to the Cabinet is a technical report assessing the geotechnical and sub-surface structures of risk areas, including Kuala Lumpur’s central business district, and is expected to help identify other potential sinkhole risk areas.
On August 23, a sinkhole which appeared on Jalan Masjid India swallowed the 48-year-old tourist who was walking down the street outside the Malayan Mansion.
Search and rescue operations for Vijaya were later called off on the ninth day due to the dangerous conditions faced by search personnel inside manholes and sewerage channels as well as the safety of the area aboveground from the impact of the search activity, more so after a second sinkhole appeared in the area.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry has since said that investigations conducted by relevant agencies found that the sinkhole incident was caused by human activities, weather issues and underground soil erosion. – October 14, 2024
