The state commission of inquiry's report on two major civil structural failures in Penang which resulted in three deaths in 2013 is ready for public release, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced today.

Lim said the 312-page report, which was completed in April, is ready to be revealed following its translation into Bahasa Malaysia.

The report contains recommendations to improve the state’s structural management and will be unveiled after it is presented to Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas.

“We will only publicise the content of the report after it is viewed by the Governor. We need to follow the state’s statutory procedures in this matter,” Lim told a press conference in Georgetown today.

The twin tragedies, which happened one week apart on June 6 and 13, claimed three lives.

Tajudin Zainal Abidin, 45, died when a portion of the ramp leading to the second Penang bridge in Batu Maung collapsed and crashed onto his car.

Jahir Hussain Sulaiman, age 46 and Lim Chin Aik, 44, meanwhile, were both hit by a massive lightning rod structure which broke off and fell from the Menara Umno building along Jalan Macalister due to a freak storm.

Chin Aik’s car was buried in the huge cavity created when the rod crashed into the road. Rescue teams spent several days searching for his body but were unable to find it.

Asked if the report will be unveiled during the coming Penang legislative assembly session which begins on Nov 6, Lim said: “We will try to do that”.

Parties to be informed

He said the commission of inquiry into the two tragedies was formed to 'find out the truth' behind the incidents which were heart-wrenching for the families of the victims.

The commission was headed by former Bar Council president Yeo Yang Poh with Universiti Malaya academic Professor Roslan Hashim and engineer Gue See Sew assisting him.

Lim said the parties involved - the management of Menara Umno and second Penang bridge - will be informed about the report's status.

“The families of the deceased will also be informed and after Governor approves it, the report will be on sale for the public to purchase,” he added.