The Coroner’s Court was today told that an amendment was made to the original blueprint of the Menara Umno building in Jalan Macalister in George Town, involving mostly the rooftop.

Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) Buildings Department director Yew Tung Seang said the amendment was on the structure to support the feature wall on the rooftop.  

“The original blueprint passed on July 30, 1997 showed that the structure on the rooftop comprised a feature wall attached with a lightning arrester. It had proposed a triangle steel tube to hold the feature wall, which was to be up to 27 metres high from the 21st floor of the building.  

“However, the amendment which was passed on July 23, 1998, changed the triangle steel tube to RC (reinforced concrete) tie beam... (between) five metres and nine metres high from level 21,” said the sixth witness in the inquest into the death of rice seller Lim Chin Aik, 44, before Coroner Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim today.

NONE The inquest is being conducted to confirm the death of Lim, who is believed to have been buried under rubble when the lightning arrester pole at the said building collapsed on the evening of June 13.

The inquest, held since Monday and scheduled to end on Sept 6, is also to enable the National Registration Department to issue a death certificate in Lim’s name to facilitate insurance claim by the victim’s family.

When asked whether he had carried out inspections at the collapsed area, Yew said he had visited the site and found that the entire feature wall was broken at level 21 and collapsed, together with the RC tie beam.

In the inquest, Khairul Anuar is assisted by deputy public prosecutors Suhaimi Ibrahim and Lim Cheah Yit, while lawyer Gobind Singh Deo is representing the the victim’s family.

Lawyer Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor, who is appearing for JKP Sdn Bhd (the owner of the Menara Umno building) is being assisted by counsel Norliza Ali.

Project consultant to submit probe report

    

When asked by Gobind Singh whether a probe into the incident was being mounted by the MPPP, Yew said the project consultant had been held responsible to submit an investigation report on the incident, especially the actual cause of the event.

He also told the court that MPPP had given the consultant until end of this month to complete the report.

Meanwhile, the victim’s brother, Lim Khung Ling, 43, urged Khairul Anuar to ensure that the case would not be prolonged.

“I hope a death certificate can be issued soon because my brother has a family and there things that need to be settled... even the bank loan settlement needs the death certificate.

“I really hope the case can be resolved soon,” he said.

The inquest continues tomorrow.

- Bernama