Updated with comments from Niosh

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin stated that the construction of a high-rise condominium in Kuala Lumpur has been ordered to cease immediately after a portion of the building collapsed yesterday.

This after two construction workers had to be rescued after being trapped under the debris when the building - known as “The Address” in Taman Desa, collapsed from the sixth floor down to the first floor.

According to Bernama, the construction work had been ordered to stop with immediate effect pending investigation by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh).

Zuraida said the Dosh had been instructed to carry out an investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the collapse with the findings expected to be known in a month’s time.

“I will also coordinate with the Federal Territories Minister (Khalid Abdul Samad) to find out whether the construction of the condominium was being carried out through the right process and according to specifications,” she was reported saying yesterday after visiting the scene.

Any further action will be taken based on Dosh’s report, she added.

Meanwhile, the building developer Maxim Holdings Sdn Bhd assured it will ensure the two rescued workers would be provided with all the required medical treatment.

In a statement online, it further said the company was “committed to ensuring the highest of building standard and the integrity of the development is of prime importance.”

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) under the Human Resources Ministry today said such incidents should not occur.

It added that it was leaving the cause of the collapse to the relevant investigating authorities to determine.

“Employers and staff have a responsibility to ensuring the workplace is safe and healthy, as the requirements of work safety procedures and quality of the materials used are among the factors which can cause mishaps,” it said.

It further called on tough action be taken should any wrongdoing be found leading to the collapse.