KUANTAN: The family of a durian orchard owner who died after crashing into a lorry that was watering plants at the Kuantan Bypass is considering taking legal action.
After Gee Len Fatt, 63, was killed in the 12.30pm incident on Aug 7, 19-year-old motorcyclist Muhammad Nafis Ifwat Sasuhilmy died in a crash with a similar lorry at the same stretch on Aug 19.
Gee's son, Gee Poh Keong, 38, said his family was stunned and angered to learn that a motorcyclist suffered the same fate as his father.
"My father was in an accident on Aug 7. Less than two weeks later, a student suffered the same fate, some 200m from the spot where my father died.
"There have been allegations that the same contractor is involved.
"Based on video evidence, the lorry was travelling on the fast lane without a flagman and safety cones. This means safety protocols were not adhered to.
"I was informed that the contractor was hired by the Kuantan City Council, but until today no one has met my family to provide an explanation," he said at Semambu assemblyman Chan Chun Kuang's service centre here today (Aug 21).
Poh Keong, who runs a heavy machinery business, claimed that his family was in talks with Nafis Ifwat's family to file a lawsuit against the City Council and the contractor.
"My family has hired a lawyer. We are talking to the other family.
"I am not sure if the same contractor is involved. But they have to be responsible as families have lost their loved ones."
Chan said he contacted the City Council after the first incident and was told it was conducting an internal inquiry to look into whether the contractor had breached standard operating procedures.
"Someone has to come forward and be held responsible for the incident. There may be a need to review the SOP.
"If the same contractor is involved in both incidents, then it is shocking as the council should have suspended those involved after the first accident.
"The contractor appears to be too relaxed. It failed to adhere to safety rules when watering plants along the busy dual carriageway and another life was lost.
"We hope strict measures will be adopted to avoid a third mishap."
Chan said he would help both families seek justice.
The New Straits Times has reached out to the Kuantan City Council for comment.