GEORGE TOWN: The duration allocated for the investigation into the deadly Bukit Kukus landslide incident is expected to be announced next week.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the timeline will be set by Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who heads the special investigation committee on the incident.
“I believe this will be personally announced by the committee chairman and hopefully, it can begin soon.
“Many parties are interested in knowing the cause of the incident. We will also discuss the issue of compensation to all the victims,” he said.
Chow was speaking at a press conference after officiating a health campaign organised by Tanjong Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) for 85 Form Five students here on Sunday.
Last week, nine construction workers died and four were injured when a landslide hit the Bukit Kukus Highway project site.
Those who died were four Indonesians - Attrul, 35; Samsul, 19; Bahtiar, 36 and Subaeri, 34; as well as four Bangladeshis -
Mithu Hossain, 30; Mostak Hossain, 25; Md Abdul Jalil, 34 and Mohamad Uzzal, 33.
The other deceased was Myanmar national Khin Aye Khaing, 33. Those injured were identified as a Bangladeshi, Shamin, 24; and three Indonesians, Wakrini, 36; Norazizah, 24 and Laduma, 46.
The project has been hit with a stop work order by the Department of Occupational Safety and Heath (DOSH) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
Meanwhile, Chow said that the period for the Commission of Inquiry for the Tanjung Bungah landslide to present its report has been extended to April next year.
“I have received the latest information. Testimonies from witnesses as well as technical reports have been completed. The commission is now drafting a report on the incident.
“It is expected to be concluded by next April. We hope this is the final extension, this has already taken a long time,” he said.
On Oct 21 last year, 11 people were killed when a landslide struck a construction site in Lengkok Lembah Permai.
One of the deceased was the site’s Malaysian supervisor.
The Penang government, which categorised the incident as a work site accident, has come under fire from several non-governmental and environmental groups for allegedly ignoring earlier warnings over the project.