Malaysia to conduct ‘integrity audit’ after second sinkhole appears in Kuala Lumpur

Authorities in Malaysia will conduct an “integrity audit” of the sewerage system along Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Masjid India after a second sinkhole appeared on the road in a span of five days, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said on Wednesday evening.

The audit will be done after search and rescue efforts for an Indian tourist who fell into another sinkhole 50 metres (164 feet) away last Friday have concluded, he said.

The 48-year-old victim, identified as Vijayaletchumy, has yet to be found after six days.

The new sinkhole appeared at around 2.30am on Wednesday after heavy rain the day before, reported news agency Bernama. It appeared at the same spot as another sinkhole that had been patched up last month, according to people working in the area.

Although no casualties were reported, the second sinkhole prompted authorities to close the entire stretch of Jalan Masjid India, which is about 400 metres, to pedestrians and traffic. Footpaths remain open, and the authorities did not indicate when the road would reopen.

“We have to consider public safety. I have instructed IWK (national sewerage company, Indah Water Konsortium) to conduct an integrity audit … meaning we have to check this entire area. What is the cause of this issue?” Fadillah told reporters at the site.

The audit will look into aspects such as the drainage system and will involve the different utility companies.

Asked if the Masjid India area was safe, Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, replied that it was.

“That’s why there are some areas that have been cordoned off. We need to conduct an integrity audit because sometimes there are new developments.

“We want to know the cause [of the incident]. Overall, we pray for the