MELAKA: The recent earthquake in Indonesia has warranted an immediate evaluation of the structural integrity of multistorey government buildings in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said it was meant to ensure the safety of government buildings following the discovery of structural cracks at the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) building in Ayer Keroh, caused by the 6.2-magnitude earthquake in West Sumatra province last Friday.
The earthquake has so far claimed 11 lives while leaving 400 injured, and rescuers in Indonesia are still continuing the search for survivors.
The tremors were felt as far as Singapore and Malaysia.
Sulaiman (Lendu-BN) said new cracks appeared from level one to level eight of the LHDN building, and he had ordered the operations there to be suspended until it is declared safe.
“I have directed all government buildings in the state to have structural integrity checks carried out,” he said at the state assembly yesterday.