Director Pleads Not Guilty

Director Pleads Not Guilty

PETALING JAYA: The director of construction company CW Yap Sdn Bhd has been charged with failing to ensure the safety of others in connection with the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket last year.

Yap Choon Wai, 54, pleaded not guilty to the offence at a Sessions Court here yesterday.

The supermarket, a famous landmark in Petaling Jaya, collapsed during demolition work and seven people were killed on May 28 last year.

Yap was charged in his capacity as the company director and an employer, for failing to ensure that non-employees, namely four workers and three civilians, were not exposed to safety and health risks.

The four workers were identified as A. Suki Nahru, a 54-year-old Malaysian, and Indonesians Mukhamad Maskur, Fendi and Anwarudin. The three civilians were Rouf, Fauzan and Maddekip.

Yap was accused of failing to comply with the work safety system provided in demolition works for buildings.

The alleged offence was committed on May 28 last year at about 5pm at the site of the proposed project to demolish the building at Jalan Semangat.

Sessions Court Judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz granted Yap bail of RM5,000 with one surety.

The judge fixed Oct 27 for the case to be mentioned.

She also allowed for Yap’s case to be mentioned together with two previous cases which were related to the charge.

Last Tuesday, two construction companies, including Yap’s, were charged in separate Sessions Courts with failing to ensure the safety of others.

Yap and Jason Hee Kok Hing, of Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd, appeared on behalf of their companies and pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Yap was charged under Section 17(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 which is punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.

Those convicted under this section could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Yap was represented by defence counsel Goh Keng Tat while Deputy Public Prosecutor Aida Farihan Mohd Nawi prosecuted.

By Yuen Meikeng
From The Star Online 28 September 2010

Jaya Supermarket Collapse: Director Yap Choon Wai Charged

Jaya Supermarket Collapse: Director Yap Choon Wai Charged

PETALING JAYA: The director of construction company CW Yap Sdn Bhd has been charged with failing to ensure the safety of others in connection with the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket here last year.

Yap Choon Wai, 54, pleaded not guilty to the offence at a Sessions Court here on Monday.

The supermarket, a famous landmark in Petaling Jaya, collapsed during demolition work and seven people were killed on May 28 last year.

Yap was charged in his capacity as the company director and an employer, for failing to ensure that non-employees, namely four workers and three civilians, were not exposed to safety and health risks.

The four workers were identified as A. Suki Nahru, a 54-year-old Malaysian, and Indonesians Mukhamad Maskur, Fendi and Anwarudin. The three civilians were Rouf, Fauzan and Maddekip.

Yap was accused of failing to comply with the work safety system provided in demolition works for buildings.

The alleged offence was committed on May 28 last year at about 5pm at the site of the proposed project to demolish the building at Jalan Semangat here.

Sessions Court Judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz granted Yap bail of RM5,000 with one surety.

The judge fixed Oct 27 for the case to be mentioned.

She also allowed Yap’s case to be mentioned together with two previous cases which were related to the charge.

Last Tuesday, two construction companies, including Yap’s, were charged in separate Sessions Courts with failing to ensure the safety of others.

Yap and Jason Hee Kok Hing, of Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd, appeared on behalf of their companies and pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Yap was charged under Section 17(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 which is punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.

Those convicted under this Section could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Yap was represented by defence counsel Goh Keng Tat while Deputy Public Prosecutor Aida Farihan Mohd Nawi prosecuted.

By Yuen Meikeng
From The Star Online 27 September 2010

Firms Charged Over Lack Of Safety In Supermarket Collapse

Firms Charged Over Lack Of Safety In Supermarket Collapse

TWO construction companies were charged in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court for failing to ensure the safety of others in connection with the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket last year.

The iconic supermarket collapsed during demolition work and killed seven construction workers on May 28 last year.

Directors Yap Choon Wai, of CW Yap Sdn Bhd and Jason Hee Kok Hing, of Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd, appeared on behalf of their companies and pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Both were charged at separate Sessions Courts in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

CW Yap Sdn Bhd was charged as an employer for failing to ensure that non-employees, namely four workers and three civilians, who could be affected by the company’s works, were not exposed to safety and health risks.

The company was charged with failing to comply with the work safety system provided in demolition works for buildings.

Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd was charged as an employer for failing to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all its employees on duty by failing to comply with the work safety system provided in demolition works for buildings.

Both companies allegedly committed the offences on May 28 last year at about 5pm at the site of the proposed project to demolish the office building and shopping complex at Jalan Semangat here.

The proposed project was also set to rebuild a seven-floor shopping complex building and a four-level basement car park at the site.

Sessions Court Judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz fixed Sept 27 for CW Yap Sdn Bhd’s case to be mentioned.

Later, in another Sessions Court, judge Rozina Ayob allowed for Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd’s case to be mentioned on the same day and at the same court with CW Yap Sdn Bhd’s charge.

CW Yap Sdn Bhd and Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd were each charged under Section 17(1) and Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 which is punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.

Those convicted under this Section could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Both companies were represented by defence counsel Ooi Huey Min while Department of Occupational Safety and Health prosecuting officers Jaafar Leman and Hazlina Yon appeared for the prosecution.

By Yuen Meikeng
From The Star Online 22 September 2010

Demolition Works In Order, Says MBPJ

Demolition Works In Order, Says MBPJ

THE two construction companies charged in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court over the collapse of Jaya Supermarket in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, are handling the demolition of the remaining structure.

However, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) did not see any problem with the companies handling the rest of the job.

MBPJ public relations officer Zainun Zakaria said the companies had obtained the necessary approvals from the council to proceed with the remaining phases of the demolition.

“The council’s various departments have stringently assessed their applications, procedures and methods recommended for the demolition and gave approval,” she said.

She added that the council would respect the court procedure that would find out if the companies had failed to meet safety standards when they demolished the main building last year.

Directors Yap Choon Wai of CW Yap Sdn Bhd and Jason Hee Kok Hing, of Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd, appeared on behalf of their companies and pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Meanwhile, residents and business operators nearby felt that it was time to move on.

Section 14A Rukun Tetangga chairman Tee Kee Tian said the mishap had brought about various woes for traders and residents in the area, among them parking problems and a drastic drop in business.

Tee also said it was time to bring down the remaining structure safely.

The structure collapsed on May 28 last year and killed seven workers.

It was claimed that the accident happened before demolition works could start. Residents from 12 houses along Jalan 14/15 were evacuated following the incident and were put up at hotels in the area.

Meanwhile, Selangor MCA chairman Datuk Donald Lim said the matter had dragged on for too long.

He said it was unfair to the residents and business owners, who had been facing inconvenience as well as business loss as a result of the incident.

“The state and local governments should have acted faster and not wait until a year to resolve this matter.”

By Fazleena Aziz
From The Star Online 22 September 2010

Two Construction Companies Charged With Jaya Supermarket Collapse

Two Construction Companies Charged With Jaya Supermarket Collapse

PETALING JAYA: Two construction companies were separately charged in the Sessions Court here Tuesday with failing to meet safety standards over the collapse of the Jaya Supermarket.

Directors Yap Choon Wai, of CW Yap Sdn Bhd, and Jason Hee Kok Hing, of Lian Hup Earth Work and Construction Sdn Bhd, appeared on behalf of their companies and pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The offences were allegedly committed on May 28 last year, around 5pm, at the former Jaya Supermarket site along Jalan Semangat here.

One of Petaling Jaya's oldest landmarks, the building in Section 14, had been vacant since early 2008 as there were plans to redevelop the site.

The structure collapsed before demolition works could start, killing seven workers.

By Yuen Meikeng
From The Star Online 21 September 2010

Perundangan Mengenai Asbestos di Malaysia

Selain dari AKKP 1994 dan AKJ 1967, perundangan di Malaysia mengenai asbestos secara khususnya ialah,

1. Peraturan Kilang dan Jentera (Proses Asbestos) 1986

2. Perintah Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (Larangan Penggunaan Bahan) 1999

3. Peraturan-peraturan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (Penggunaan dan Standard Pendedahan Bahan Kimia Berbahaya kepada Kesihatan) 2000

International Agency Research for Cancer (IARC)menhklasifikasikan semua jenis asbestos sebagai karsinogen kategori 1

Menurut kajian yang dijalankan oleh JKKP pada tahun 2009 mengenai syarikat-syarikat yang menggunakan asbestos dalam penghasilan produk, 70% didapati tidak mengawal penggunaan asbestos dengan cara yang memuaskan.

Sumber: Ucapan Perasmian Bengkel Kawalan Pendedahan Terhadap Asbestos anjuran JKKP di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC) pada 25 Mac 2010

Pekerja-pekerja binaan yang melakukan kerja-kerja meruntuh dan mengubahsuai bangunan yang menggunakan bahan binaan mengandungi asbestos juga terdedah kepada bahan itu. Namun, kontraktor-kontraktor utama tidak begitu prihatin untuk menyelesaikan masalah berkenaan. Sistem pengalihudara, 'enclosure' dan alat perlindungan diri yang sesuai tidak disediakan kepada pekerja.

Asbestos: Debu Pembunuh Senyap

Dalam beberapa minggu yang lalu, kebimbangan berhubung keracunan asbestos telah ditimbulkan di dalam media cetak tempatan dan sememangnya ia benar!

Bahan serat yang berlaku secara semula jadi ini dengan ketahanan terhadap haba panas dan api telah dikenal pasti sebagai ancaman serius kepada nyawa manusia di Negara Barat dan seberapa boleh yang mungkin hendaklah dielakkan sama sekali.

Mereka yang bekerja dengan asbestos berisiko mengalami kanser paru-paru, asbestosis, mesothelioma dan kematian akibat penyakit pernafasan. Pertubuhan Buruh Antarabangsa (ILO) menganggarkan bahawa 100,000 pekerja mati setiap tahun akibat penyakit berkaitan asbestos. Manakala beribu lagi terkorban daripada pendedahan dalam alam sekitar.

Serat asbestos kuat dan biasanya ditemui dalam siling, jubin lantai, paip air dan brek kenderaan. Asbestos satu ketika dulu dianggap sebagai bahan bangunan yang utama tetapi kini dikenali sebagai salah satu pembunuh di tempat kerja yang terbesar.

Asbestos juga termasuklah chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, asbestos tremolite, asbestos anthophyllite, asbestos actinolite, dan sebarang daripada bahan ini yang telah dirawat dan atau diubah suai secara kimia.

Asbestos menjadi bahan berbahaya apabila ia diganggu, menyebabkan seratnya berterbangan di udara. Ini biasanya dirujuk sebagai asbestos repui, manakala asbestos yang masih dalam keadaan baik dirujuk sebagai asbestos tidak repui.

Asbestos repui bawaan udara disedut ke dalam paru-paru mereka yang terdedah kepadanya. Sehingga hari ini, penyelidik masih belum menetapkan paras selamat pendedahan kepada asbestos tetapi satu perkara yang pasti lebih lama terdedah kepadanya, lebih besar risiko mendapat penyakit berkaitan asbestos.

Sebab itulah keracunan asbestos sering dipanggil penyakit bahaya pekerjaan, kerana mereka yang biasanya bekerja dengan bahan ini kebanyakannya berisiko mendapat penyakit berkaitan asbestos.

Pegawai kesihatan telah memberi amaran bahawa pendedahan kepada asbestos secara meluas akan mengakibatkan wabak mesathelioma, kanser paru-paru dan asbestosis.

Di samping penyakit yang membunuh ini, panel 27 pakar yang bersidang bersama Agensi Penyelidikan Kanser Antarabangsa (IARC) Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) melaporkan bukti baru bahawa asbestos menyebabkan kanser larinks dan ovari.

Lebih membimbangkan ialah ramalan oleh Dr James Leigh, Pengarah Pusat Kesihatan Pekerjaan dan Alam Sekitar, Sekolah Kesihatan Awam Sydney, Australia yang telah bersara, bahawa akan terdapat 5 hingga 10 juta kematian akibat kanser berkaitan asbestos menjelang 2030.

Ia juga membimbangkan bahawa agensi kesihatan antarabangsa seperti WHO, ILO dan IARC bersetuju bahawa tidak terdapat paras selamat terhadap pendedahan kepada asbestos. Walaupun begitu, bumbung bahan asbestos, paip simen asbestos dan produk mengandungi asbestos lain masih digunakan dengan meluas di seluruh dunia termasuk Malaysia.

Apa yang membimbangkan kepada pengguna ialah tidak terdapat sebarang keprihatinan terhadap kesihatan mereka kerana dibekalkan dengan air melalui paip simen asbestos.

Malaysia tidak mempunyai sebarang program khusus untuk menggantikan paip simen asbestos. Malah jika terdapat sedikit bukti karsinogenisiti asbestos yang dihadamkan, langkah berhati-hati mestilah diambil dengan menggantikan paip simen asbestos lama dengan bahan gentian yang lebih selamat.

Memandangkan bahaya asbestos, 54 negara di seluruh dunia telah mengenakan pengharaman, menghadkan atau mengecualikan untuk penggunaan kecil asbestos. Di Malaysia, hanya crocidolite (asbestos biru) dilarang tetapi penggunaan chrysotile (asbestos putih), amosite (asbestos perang), tremolite, anthophyllite dan actinolite dibenarkan.

Memandangkan kepentingan untuk memelihara keselamatan awam dan pekerja yang mengendalikan asbebstos, CAP menggesa supaya diharamkan sepenuhnya bahan ini. Kami memahami bahawa kerajaan Malaysia sedang mengkaji untuk melaksanakan pengharaman tetapi apa yang membimbangkan kami ialah proses ini akan mengambil masa yang panjang.

Di samping mengenakan pengharaman ke atas asbestos, kerajaan Malaysia mestilah mewujudkan pendaftaran kebangsaan untuk asbestosis dan mesothelioma, diagnosis awal terhadap penyakit berkaitan asbestos dan melaksanakan skim pampasan pekerja.

Kerajaan juga mestilah mengadakan program pendidikan dan kesedaran asbestos untuk menyampaikan mesej kepada orang ramai, kontraktor, mekanik, pemasang paip dan pekerja umum mengenai bahaya asbestos dan untuk menggalakkan pematuhan terhadap peraturan dan amalan pengurusan asbestos yang selamat.

Kita juga memerlukan buruh mahir dan berpengetahuan untuk menghapuskan dan memindahkan produk yang mengandungi asbestos dengan selamat.

CAP sekali lagi menggesa kerajaan supaya mempercepatkan pengharaman asbestos dan memastikan langkah yang sewajarnya diambil untuk melindungi kesihatan seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

Oleh SM Mohamed Idris, Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang

Dipetik dari laman Malaysiakini