The family of the Second Penang Bridge ramp collapse victim Tajudin Zainal Abidin plans to take legal action against project developer Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) and contractor Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd.
Following an article in a local daily, where Sukarelawan Peguam (SukaGuam) chairman Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat urged the deceased’s family to act against JKSB and Cergas Murni for alleged negligence, the victim’s brother-in-law Saiful Ramli said, “We will file a suit against the project developer and the contractor as soon as possible. Our task now is to identify a suitable lawyer to represent us”.
When contacted yesterday, he said the victim’s family would consider filing the suit either in Penang or Kuala Lumpur, as JKSB’s headquarters was in Kuala Lumpur. Khairul Anwar said the RM10,000 initial compensation from JKSB was not justified to cover the loss of a life.
He added that the family members would be able to sue both parties for purported negligence after the interchange section collapsed on Thursday, which crushed Tajudin to death while he was driving below the 30m structure in a Perodua Kelisa.
Three others were also injured in the incident at Batu Maung.
The family is expected to take JKSB and Cergas Murni to court for being negligent at its Batu Maung Interchange project, which formed Package 3A of the 24km bridge.
Meanwhile, JKSB deputy manager (public relations and communications) Azizi Azizan, when contacted, declined to comment on the matter, except to say that the family had the right to seek legal redress. “Until such time as the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) completes its investigations, we are in no position to comment”, he told the New Straits Times.
When asked if any precautionary measures were being taken at the site of the incident, he said JKSB may consider requesting a road closure when it carried out future concrete-pouring works.
“Other safety measures will hinge on recommendations made by DOSH”, he said, adding that six remaining casting packages (3B-3G) at Batu Kawan on the mainland were yet to be completed.
(Source)