PENAMPANG: A former Penampang District Councillor is contemplating suing the now Municipal Council after falling and injuring himself when his leg was trapped in a loosely fitted drain cover in Beverly Hill Plaza.
The 68-year-old Datuk businessman said the incident occurred at dusk recently when his right leg slipped into a gully trap. Although the trap had a cover, it was not properly fitted.
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His leg went in about two and a half feet. Fortunately, he was strong and managed to steady himself to avoid further injury.
He stepped on the gully trap to avoid stagnant water beside it. He thought the water might be deep and believing the trap cover was safe, chose to step on it instead.
As a result of the fall, he experienced body aches, especially on his right leg, which was bruised along the entire limb.
He lodged a report and said the matter involved public safety and should have been treated as urgent by the Council. He is pursuing public liability compensation against the Council (PMC).
“This is a public place. No one would expect the cover to be fragile. I stepped on it as anyone naturally would. It was a horrendous experience to encounter the dirt and smell from the gully trap,” he said.
He could not imagine what might have happened had he lost his balance completely.
“What if I had lost my life? This is the responsibility of the PMC and the Kepayan Assemblyman,” he said.
Nearby shopowners told him others had fallen into the same hole. He claimed that during his tenure, councillors were constantly reminded that all public places must be kept safe for everyone.
“The Majlis Daerah has been upgraded into a Municipal Council, why are such basic matters still not being adhered to?” he asked.
He is now pursuing a claim for the ordeal he endured.
