DANGER: MPPP workers close the road where a sinkhole appeared at Jalan Macalister in Georgetown. — Bernama photo
GEORGE TOWN: Another sinkhole has appeared in front of Menara Umno at Macalister Road yesterday, the site where 44-year-old economy rice seller Lim Chin Aik is believed to be buried after the building’s lightning arrester collapse on June 13.
The sinkhole, estimated at 0.5m in diameter and two-metre deep was spotted by a passer-by about 1.15pm yesterday.
Komtar Assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, said he received a phone call on the matter and rushed to the scene with a Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) officer.
“The sinkhole could be caused by continuous rain over the past few days which has washed away the soil underneath,” he told reporters at the scene.
The MPPP officer however said apart from the rains it could also be due to minor leakages in an underground pipe.
“We cannot determine the actual cause so we have informed Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) to check it out,” said the officer, adding he was not sure how long it would take to cover the sinkhole.
This is the second sinkhole after the previous incident on Aug 15 where a forklift fell into one about five metres away from the scene during pavement repairs.
Lim’s remains are believed to be buried deep at Jalan Macalister here, when the lightning arrester from the 21-storey Menara Umno collapsed during a freak storm on June 13.
He was presumed dead after pieces of his car, along with a plate bearing its chassis number, were found in the crater which resulted from the arrester’s impact. — Bernama