SHAH ALAM - On Saturday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) announced that the search and rescue (SAR) operation for Vijayaletchumy, 48, who fell into a sinkhole that opened under her feet along Jalan Masjid India on Aug 23, had been halted.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this was due to safety concerns and the risks posed to the SAR team and the surrounding area at the site of the sinkhole incident.
Following the announcement, it was reported that Jalan Masjid India was bustling as usual again yesterday as visitors throng the popular area which was fully operational after the sinkhole incident.
The influx of visitors to Jalan Masjid India undoubtedly brought good news for traders, as the area had been quiet with minimal foot traffic during the nine days of the SAR operation.
Traders there claimed that they suffered losses of approximately 50 to 70 per cent in sales following the sinkhole incident, with some even choosing to temporarily close their operations to avoid further financial losses.
However, the big question still stands: Are there other dangerous areas in Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere?
The government and the public needed to stay alert because unexpected incidents like the one that occurred before can happen at any time.
All parties must not neglect their roles, especially those with vested interests, in ensuring that the area remained safe for visitors.
Alliance of Safety Community (Ikatan) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye suggested that a mandatory safety audit should be conducted by the authorities at least every two or three years to ensure all infrastructure developments were safe for public use.
He said the audit should focus on underground areas.
He further explained that comprehensive safety measures must include updated geological surveys conducted periodically.
"A thorough geological assessment of the affected area is essential to identify potential risks.
"Understanding the soil and bedrock conditions will help predict and prevent future sinkhole incidents and mitigate risks in other hazardous locations," he said.