Sinkhole incident: Mayor assures KL remains safe

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif says there is no solid evidence to support claims that the city is unsafe to live in.

Maimunah stressed that Kuala Lumpur's development has been a long-standing goal and that any claims that the city is unsafe for development must be substantiated by convincing evidence and thorough investigations.

“In response, we have set up a task force comprising the Department of Geology and the Public Works Department (JKR) to investigate this matter.

“However, given the current situation, Kuala Lumpur remains safe unless studies prove otherwise,” she said during a press conference at Jalan Masjid India on Sunday (25 August).

Also present were Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue (JBPM) Deputy Director Rozihan Anwar Mamat, Dang Wangi District Police Chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy and Indah Water Consortium (IWK) Managing Director Narendran Maniam.

Recently, a Facebook post from 2015 by an environmental activist resurfaced and went viral, claiming that the most unsafe place in Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, where there is a risk of a “giant sinkhole” forming at any time.

The post further claimed that 40 to 60 percent of Kuala Lumpur's bedrock is made of limestone and that unregulated development and disorganized drainage systems could accelerate the occurrence of such an event.

Meanwhile, Maimunah said the task force, which included members from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), police, Department of Minerals and Geosciences and Public Works Department, had already been activated.

Following a coordination meeting with various agencies concerned, Maimunah today assured that the situation around Jalan Masjid India and Kuala Lumpur in general was under control and safe for visitors. – Bernama