The fully repaired escalator at the Jalan Ampang link bridge in Kuala Lumpur.
THE escalator at the Jalan Ampang link bridge in Kuala Lumpur is finally open to the public again, a year after it was destroyed in a fire.
In a statement to StarMetro, Intermark Mall management said the link bridge to the Jalan Ampang LRT station had been repaired and opened to the public as of Jan 30.
The management said the public could now use the link bridge and escalator to get to and from the mall.
To improve public safety, it has installed four new emergency alert buttons and four extra security cameras, bringing the total to 10 security cameras.
The management said this was in line with Intermark Mall’s effort to enhance safety standards and ensure a safe and conducive experience for the public and mall visitors.
The bridge was under repair for several months after it was destroyed in an arson attack on March 7 last year.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department had classified the case as incendiary fire.
An incendiary fire is when a fire is deliberately set in an area.
According to a statement from the mall management last year, the police had arrested a suspect on March 15 in relation to the incident who was subsequently charged on April 13 under Section 435 of the Penal Code.
Initially, it was believed that the escalator belonged to Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, which managed the Ampang Park LRT station, but it was actually owned by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
However, there was an agreement between DBKL and the developer of Intermark Mall for the maintenance and management of the facility.
The bridge across the busy Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang intersection was constructed in 2013 at a cost of RM15mil.
Meanwhile, an employee of the mall, who only wanted to be identified as Siti, expressed relief at being able to use the link again.
“It really makes a big difference now that the escalator is working and we can use the bridge again,’’ she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by J. Rai, who often visits the mall on the weekends.
“I am happy that it’s open again. It just makes walking from the Ampang LRT station easier, and of course, we do not have to breathe in too much of fumes from the road vehicles,’’ said Rai.
