Roof-collapse stadium only had a partial cert

(The Star) KUALA TERENGGANU: The Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium was issued a partial work completion certificate last year as it was considered safe to host Sukma.

The state Public Works Department has now declared that it would demand for compensation and remedial work from the main contractor following Tuesday’s collapse of the roof.

State PWD deputy director Ghazali Hashim said the certification, based on the authentication provided by an independent examiner, was given to several sections of the stadium including the track, field and certain areas outside the building.

“However, we had not issued any certification for the roof as it was still under the warranty period,” he said.

Because a local consultant commissioned to evaluate the safety of the roof had declared it safe, he said: “So, we allowed the Games to be held at the venue.”

Ghazali, who accompanied Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on a site visit yesterday, said the department was only empowered to issue a work completion certificate once the warranty period had ended.

He also said government buildings were exempted from needing the Certificate of Fitness before the premises were occupied.

Raja Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Shah of Senibahri Arkitek, the principal architect of the stadium, said he might comment on the incident in a few days.

“I can’t say anything now as I do not have the full facts,” he said when contacted in Medinah where he is on his way to perform the umrah. He is expected to return on June 10.