KUALA LUMPUR - The family members of the victim involved in the sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India have received an extension of their Social Visit Pass (visa), effective from Monday.
Special Officer to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Arvend Applasamy, said that the one-month visa extension has been granted to four of the victim’s family members.
He said that the visa had been issued by the Immigration Department to the victim's husband, child, and relatives.
"On behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister (Zahid), I had the opportunity to meet the victim's family today and deliver cash assistance, as well as provide food and beverages.
"The government assures that all necessary arrangements for the victim's family during their stay here will be facilitated," he said at a press conference at the scene today.
He said the government is committed to providing support, including accommodation and counselling sessions from the Health Ministry (MOH) officers.
He also informed that the victim's family has come to terms with the incident.
"The victim’s child has accepted the reality and expressed a wish for the search mission to be expedited so they can see the face of their loved one," he said.
The family expressed their gratitude to the rescue teams, which include the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and the Civil Defence Force for their sincere and dedicated efforts in carrying out the search and rescue (SAR) operation.
The victim, Vijayaletchumi, 48, originally from Andhra Pradesh, India, was scheduled to return to her home country with her family last Saturday.
The victim was walking through the area when she suddenly fell into the sinkhole, prompting a team of firefighters to be dispatched to the scene at 8.22am last Friday.