Sinkhole incident: Mayor assures KL remains safe


Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif (centre) during her visit to the site of the sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif says that there is no solid evidence to support claims that the city is unsafe for habitation.

Maimunah stressed that Kuala Lumpur had been developed for a long time, and any claims that it was unsafe for development must be backed by strong evidence and thorough studies.

"In response, we have established a task force, including the Department of Geology and the Public Works Department (JKR), to look into and study this matter.

"However, based on the current situation, Kuala Lumpur remains safe unless proven otherwise by studies," she said during a press conference at Jalan Masjid India here on Sunday (Aug 25).

Also present were Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Deputy Director Rozihan Anwar Mamat, Dang Wangi District Police Chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy, and Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) chief executive officer Narendran Maniam.

Recently, a Facebook post uploaded by an environmental activist in 2015 resurfaced and went viral, where it was claimed that the most unsafe place in Malaysia was Kuala Lumpur, with the potential for a "giant sinkhole" to occur at any time.

The post further claimed that 40% to 60%t of Kuala Lumpur's foundation consists of limestone and that unregulated development and disorganised drainage systems could accelerate the occurrence of such an event.

Meanwhile, Maimunah said that the task force, which included members from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the police, the Minerals and Geoscience Department, and the Public Works Department, had already been activated.

Following a coordination meeting with various related agencies today, Maimunah assured that the situation around Jalan Masjid India and Kuala Lumpur in general was under control and safe for visitors. - Bernama

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Security guard gets four months’ jail for hitting wife
KK cops probe 'Angel' chat group gang bullying case
DOE enhances open burning monitoring with over 3,000 probes
Smooth traffic reported on major highways
81% pct of employers rate disabled persons' work ethics on par with other workers, says Stats Dept
Search radius for missing boy in Hulu Selangor river expanded to 3km as rescue op enters second day
Unidentified man found drowned in Sg Kerayong
US DOJ gets seizure order on luxury New York condo bought with 1MDB funds
PM Anwar to launch KL International Book Fair tomorrow
Penang CM defends rejection of Byram/Changkat project RFP, citing costly 'variations' from original terms

Others Also Read