The original spot of the cornice that fell (circled) at the lobby of the state assembly building. (Inset) Ex-representative of Jawi Tan Cheng Liang (centre) taking a closer look at the fallen cornice.
GEORGE TOWN: It was a close call for some 40 people, including Barisan Nasional component party members and pressmen, when part of the plaster ceiling at the lobby of the State Legislative Assembly building fell.
It was chaos as people scrambled to safety.
Among those seated barely one metre from the spot were Gerakan's Cheang Chee Gooi and MCA's Tan Cheng Liang who were present in their capacity as the opposition watchdogs.
Cheang said he was talking with some people when he heard cracking sounds before the plaster ceiling came crashing down.
"I hope the authorities will look into the matter immediately," he said.
At a press conference later, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed shock over the incident.
He blamed it on the failure by the previous administration to conduct proper maintenance on heritage and old buildings.
"We will deal with this," he said, adding that he had instructed state Public Works Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng to rectify the pro-blem.
Lim, however, said they would continue to operate from the existing building which was rich in heritage value.
Meanwhile, state opposition chief Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said it was unfair for Lim to blame the previous administration for the incident.
"The onus is on them to conduct a safety check before the legislative assembly session convenes.
"We used to do that under the previous administration," he said, adding that this was the first time in his 18 years as assemblyman that such a thing had happened.
"The state Public Works Department and the Penang Island Municipal Council should be held accountable," he added.
The state legislative assembly building was renovated and repainted more than two years ago.
-nstonline
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