Kuala Lumpur ‘remains safe’, says mayor as search for tourist who fell into sinkhole enters fourth day

SINGAPORE: Kuala Lumpur “remains safe unless proven otherwise by studies”, its mayor said as the search for a 48-year-old Indian tourist who fell into an 8m-deep sinkhole continues and a task force was set up to study the safety of development in Malaysia’s capital.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif said on Sunday (Aug 25) that the city has been developed for a long time and claims that it was unsafe for development must be backed up by strong evidence, news agency Bernama reported.

In response, a task force that includes the Department of Minerals and Geosciences, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Public Works Department has been set up to look into the matter, she said.

“Based on the current situation, Kuala Lumpur remains safe unless proven otherwise by studies,” she said.

The mayor also added that the situation around Jalan Masjid India – where the sinkhole occurred on Friday – as well as Kuala Lumpur in general, was under control and safe for visitors.

Since the incident, claims from 2015 have resurfaced on social media that there was potential for a “giant sinkhole” to emerge in the capital at any time.