GEORGE TOWN: THE Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) should take responsibility for the collapse of a rooftop billboard last Friday.
This is because the billboard, above the Krystal Point business centre in Bayan Baru, was approved by MPPP last year.
“Gerakan is disappointed that MPPP is passing the responsibility to the billboard company and its engineers after the incident,” said Penang Gerakan secretary Oh Tong Keong.
“MPPP should be responsible for ensuring public safety since it is under their jurisdiction.”
The incident, which took place last Friday when a heavy storm struck the area, saw four cars damaged when the 16m x 8m advertising billboard came crashing down. There were no injuries or loss of lives.
Oh said he was disappointed that MPPP did not shoulder the responsibility despite the billboard being insured via public liability insurance.
He pointed out that despite being covered by insurance, there was no reason to neglect safety and enforcement.
“It was fortunate that the incident did not cause any casualty.
“What use is public liability insurance if we have fatalities?”
He urged the owners of the damaged cars to hold MPPP liable for their losses.
“If MPPP holds the billboard owners responsible for safety inspections annually, this incident could have been prevented.”
Oh urged MPPP to publish
an “annual safety report” for billboards.
MPPP Licensing and Public Health Committee chairman Ong Ah Teong and council secretary Ang Aing Thye could not be reached for comment.
