Police To Investigate Victim's Complaint Against Rescue Team

(Bernama) Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said a complain lodged by a Bukit Antarabangsa landslide victim against the search and rescue operations team would be investigated.

The husband of Eng Yee Peng who perished in the landslide at Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit Antarabangsa here on Saturday, had alleged that the rescue team failed to respond positively when he sought their help to save his wife.

Khalid said police had contacted the husband of Eng to come to the Search and Rescue (SAR) centre to assist in the investigation.

"I was informed of the complaint and police had since contacted the husband yesterday but he had not responded yet, probably because he is still in mourning.

"However, I can assure that a very detailed investigation will be carried out to identify who the said individual was," he told reporters here Tuesday.

A local Chinese daily report claimed that the husband of Eng had sought help from the rescue team but was given a hoe and asked to dig and find his wife on his own.

He added that though no police report was made with regard to the incident, police would still carry out an investigation and urged victims to contact the SAR operations centre or the information centre for help and advise.

"These centres are set up to help victims and they should keep in touch with the centres for the latest information, directive or help. We are also ready to help those who want to return to their damaged houses in search of their valuables," he said.

"All facilities are in place at these centres and victims should come forward and use them. If there was a problem, they can make a report to us."

Meanwhile, search for the missing Sri Lankan maid believed to have been trapped under the rubble when 14 bungalows were fully or partially buried by a landslide that hit Bukit Antarabangsa early Saturday morning, continued on Tuesday.

Khalid said the SAR Team, using highly sophisticated devices and equipment to detect trapped victims and sniffer-dogs from the Fire and Rescue Department unit have yet to come up with any positive indication.

"The SAR Team are working very hard and doing everything possible to focus on the house of the victim. They have already dug five-feet into the rubble. There could be a possibility that the victim may have been swept away to another location and we are studying all likely possibilities," he said.

The Sri Lankan maid, Lourdes Mary, in her 30s worked for the family of veterinarian Dr N. Yogeswari, who was killed in the tragedy.

He added that search and rescue operations carried out by the SAR Team was full-steam ahead on Tuesday due to the good weather while the Malaysian Public Works Institute (IKRAM) provided the necessary assistance and advise.