Lee Lam Thye: Debate Masjid India sinkhole report this Parliament session, act on recommendations
Alliance of Safety Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye hopes the report on a sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India that killed an Indian national on Aug 23 is presented and debated in Parliament soon.
Earlier today, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), said that the full report on the investigation into the sinkhole, including a geotechnical report on the surrounding areas, is in the final review stage and will be presented to the Cabinet.
Dr Zaliha was responding to a supplementary question in the Dewan Rakyat today from P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu), who asked about the government’s readiness to disclose the outcome of the full investigation.
Lee said the report should also be presented to Parliament as soon as possible, noting that the current Parliament sitting, which began today, ends on Dec 12.
“If the report is in the final stage of review, there is enough time to present it to Parliament before this sitting ends next month,” said Lee.
“Members of Parliament can freely discuss the sinkhole when Budget 2025 is being debated,” said Lee.
“The MPs, as the people’s representatives, must discuss and debate what action is needed. That is why the report needs to be presented to them, as it is in the public’s interest.”
“I hope they take action to prevent such incidents from happening again. Too often, reports are conducted, but nothing changes.”
Lee said he hopes the authorities will also follow the assessments and recommendations made in the report.
“The public wants action to ensure such incidents do not reoccur. It is not a matter of having a report, but ensuring that it is debated and acted upon, to rectify the problems.
“There needs to be a timeline to make changes and to implement the recommendations.”
He added that addressing serious public safety issues, and understanding their causes was important.
“We should ensure that any changes lead to implementation, rather than producing reports just for the sake of having them.”
On Aug 23, G. Vijaya Lakshmi, from Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh, India, was walking along Jalan Masjid India when an 8m-deep sinkhole swallowed her. Vijaya Lakshmi’s remains were never found, despite a search and rescue operation that lasted eight days.
Dr Zaliha said in the Dewan Rakyat today that the government had donated RM30,000 to the victim’s family, who also received RM10,000 from the private sector.
The minister added that the family had the right to pursue legal action against the relevant parties.