PUTRAJAYA: Contractor negligence has been identified as the main cause of the Dec 12 crane collapse next to the Rawang Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the finding was contained in a report prepared by KTMB and the Public Works Department (JKR).
The crane was being used in the construction of a multi-level carpark project.
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"We have (determined) the cause of the incident as negligence... in ensuring the safety of the crane work area and a breach into the danger zone.
"The worksite was also slippery and not secure, causing the crane to tilt onto the track area and... break," he told a press conference at the ministry on Thursday (Jan 4).
Although there were no injuries reported, the incident disrupted the Klang Valley electric train service (ETS) and KTM Komuter services on the KL Sentral-Tanjung Malim-KL Sentral line as well as cargo train services, with delays of over two-hours on the day of the incident.
The Occupational Safety and Health Department then issued a stop-work order to the contractor.
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Loke said the ministry took a serious view of the incident and urged all contractors who handle such projects not to take safety measures lightly.
"We have ordered The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to look into what action can be taken.
"Apad is completing the investigation paper (IP) and action will be taken under Section 128 (1)(A) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 for causing damage, whether wilfully or by negligence, to any railway or railway premises or any properties belonging to a licensed operator," he said.
Upon conviction, those responsible may be liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both, he added.
"Apad will hand over the IP to the Attorney General's Chambers for action.
"Aside from that, the Construction Industry Development Board has the power to review the type of offences committed," he said.
The minister also revealed that the losses incurred came to some RM2.425mil.
"JKR is currently assessing (the level of) compensation the contractor needs to bear," he added.
