BUTTERWORTH: The Civil Defence Force in Penang has sent an application for a new observation tower to replace the one which toppled due to coastal erosion at Batu Ferringhi beach near here, on Friday (Jan 7).

       Its state director Lt Colonel (PA) Ishak Mohd Radzi said the viewing tower is essential to monitor the activities of the people at the beach as it is a popular destination among tourists.

       "We have sent an application for a new observation tower at Batu Ferringhi beach to the Chief Minister’s Office and the Penang state secretary for further action as the tower is important to monitor the safety of the people.

       "Currently we are given a gazebo to shelter our personnel when monitoring and observing the movements of the beachgoers,” he told reporters after a 2022 training opening ceremony at Civil Defence Force's Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) office here on Wednesday (Jan 12).

       On Friday, the viewing tower, which is located at Batu Ferringhi beach collapsed at about 3.40 pm believed to be due to erosion at the beach. There were no casualties in the incident.

       Commenting further, Ishak said works to clear the tower site had been carried out since Monday (Jan 10).

       "Actually the watchtower is not ours and we were only allowed to operate there. So we are not able to build a new tower ourselves,” he said.

       Meanwhile, he said the force is satisfied with its role in assisting the government to combat Covid-19 for almost two years.

       He said even though there were 10 additional tasks especially relating to Covid-19 during the period, the Civil Defence Force had succeeded in carrying them out.

       Presently there are about 1,000 of its personnel members in Penang and the number did not include the Civll Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT) as well as other agencies.- Bernama