KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants the Terengganu state government to conduct a thorough investigation as to why the roof of the Sultan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak collapsed today, since it was still new.
“Since this (stadium) is under the state government, they must find out if it was still under warranty or not,” he told reporters after closing the Titian Gemilang V programme, organised by the Overseas Umno Club Alumni here today.
Muhyiddin said it was up to the Terengganu state government to find out “what is important for us to know is that when it was said to have been completed and it is still new, this happens. The reason, only God knows.
“Slight defects here and there is normal but when the roof collapses, it does not show professionalism except it was caused by a natural disaster beyond anybody’s expectation.
“Why did it collapse? Was it a storm? Those things we are not satisfied.
Whether works carried out by a responsible contractor, normally there will be a consultant to do it right,” said Muhyiddin when notified of the collapse this morning.
During the 9.30am incident today, 60 per cent of the roof at the stadium, that was built at a cost of RM270 million and officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on May 10 last year, collapsed.
Muhyiddin also asked “Was the completed job inspected and certified by the relevant authorities through the proper procedure after conducting investigations and tests or was is it due to an unexpected reason?
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin when asked of his opinion on the issue of former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng’s return, he said the Malaysian government’s stand was firm.
“We have to stop this debate about Chin Peng and the communist so that old wounds would not flare up again. Accept the government’s decision and respect the warriors who sacrificed their lives to combat the communist,” he said.
The government would not entertain any suggestions from anybody with regard to Chin Peng or communist, he said.
“If our family members were involved, naturally we will be angry. Imagine those family members who suffered the torture of losing their loved ones, certainly it will anger their return,” he said.
Speaking of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) issue, Muhyiddin said he had met officers from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and was told that they needed a little time to prepare the report.
He added that ROS would inform him and the Prime Minister when the report was ready.
Speaking of dissatisfaction expressed by parents of new students who were confused with Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) information on eligible applicants, Muhyiddin said he would meet Higher Education minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin during the cabinet meeting tomorrow to find out the details. – Bernama
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