Two construction companies and a director of one of the companies will be charged in the Petaling Jaya Session's Court over the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket at Section 14, Petaling Jaya, on May 28 last year, which claimed the lives of seven people.

The two companies will be charged tomorrow, while the company director on Sept 27.

jaya supermarket building collapse 290509 04 They will be charged under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, the office of the Selangor Occupational Safety and Health Department director said in a statement issued today.

One of the companies will be charged under Section 15(1) of the law for allegedly failing, as an employer, to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of its employees.

The other company and the director will be charged under Section 17 (1) of the same act for allegedly failing, as employers, to ensure that other persons, not being their employees, who may be affected, are not exposed to risks to their safety or health.

Both the offences are punishable under Section 19 of the act where on conviction, they will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

The Jaya Supermarket building collapsed at about 5pm on May 28 last year while being torn down for re-development.

- Bernama