CityOne blast: Sub-con charged for failing to provide safety measures prior to incident

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On Dec 4 last year, three persons were killed and 41 injured – four seriously – when a gas explosion occurred during renovation works at a new food outlet on the ground floor of the mall. File Photo

KUCHING: A sub-contractor has been charged for failing to provide practical safety measures for members of the public at CityOne Megamall here prior to an explosion that killed three people and injured 41 others in December last year.

Chia Yit Siong, 56, pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Marutin Pagan which released him on RM10,000 bail in two sureties pending a pre-trial case management on Nov 1.

Chia was charged under Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994 that carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or two years’ jail or both, upon conviction.

He allegedly failed to provide practical safety measures while performing pipe installation works at the mall.

To date, three entities have been charged for similar offences – CityOne MC Sdn Bhd, Borneo Landmark (M) Sdn Bhd and Sin Nyen Electronic and Electrical company – apart from Chia, an individual.

Meanwhile, another Sessions Court passed an order of discharge but not amounting to acquittal on Borneo Landmark (M) Sdn Bhd from the charge framed under Section 15 of OSHA 1994 (in regard to safety measures for employees) as the prosecution needed more time to perfect their charge.

On Dec 4 last year, three persons were killed and 41 injured – four seriously – when a gas explosion occurred during renovation works at a new food outlet on the ground floor of the mall.

The three killed were O Kui Lim, 49, from Batu Kawa; Tchee Kiam Jong, 24, from Stutong; and Chin Hsien Loong, 29, from Butterworth, Penang.

Out of the 41, four suffered serious bodily injuries.

Lawyers J.B Singh and Alvin Yong represented Cityone MC and Borneo Landmark whereas lawyer Siew Chen Fui represented Syin Nyen and lawyer Voon Lee Shan (Chia).