Compensation sought for landslide victims’ families

GEORGE TOWN: Compensation is being sought for the deaths of the 10 foreigners killed in the Tanjung Bungah landslide.

The victims are from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar, and the respective foreign missions are directing that suitable compensation be paid to the families.

Pakistan’s honorary consul in Penang Datuk Rafique Abdul Karim said he received instructions from the Pakistan High Commission to ensure that compensation and other funds are obtained in the case of Ali Raza Mohd Jamil, 26.

“We will represent the family to make sure they get insurance payments, back pay and other funds due to him.

“His body will be flown back to Pakistan via Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The High Commission is bearing the cost,” he said of the sole Pakistani victim.

It is learnt that the foreigners were hired by a sub-contractor of the project.

Ensuring adequate compensation for the Bangladeshi workers killed, however, could be complicated, because three were in the re-hiring process and one was working illegally.

Honorary consul of Bangladesh in Penang Datuk Shaik Ismail Allaudin pledged to contact the employer today.

“Even though their employee status is not clear, I am sure we will have no problems making sure the families of the dead will be well cared for when the company is sound,” he said.