KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — The police will continue to monitor and patrol the sinkhole area along Jalan Masjid India periodically after the search and rescue operation switched to the search and recovery phase yesterday.
Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said it is to ensure public safety around the area.
“I think the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is better suited to issue statements on restoration efforts, while the police will focus more on public safety, monitoring, and periodic patrols,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Sulizmie also advised the public to not get too close to the incident location.
Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that operations have shifted to the search and recovery phase yesterday, nine days after Indian tourist G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, went missing after falling into a sinkhole that opened up beneath her feet on the morning of August 23.
She said the decision was made after considering expert views and the Cabinet’s decision.
The search and rescue operation involved 194 individuals from various government agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department, DBKL, the Civil Defence Force, Indah Water Konsortium, and the police.
— Bernama
