The operator of a Bagan Serai supermarket escalator — where a toddler’s genitals were injured — will be taken to court after authorities found the machine has been operating without a valid certificate of fitness (CF).
Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia director-general Datuk Mohtar Musri told The Star Online that the operator was running the escalator despite not maintaining it or renewing its CF.
“We checked the safety devices they had on the escalator and the CF. Based on our investigations, they did not comply.
“We will send our investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for action to be taken,” he was quoted as saying.
According to Mohtar, the escalator had been shut down since March when its CF expired, but a new tenant prompted the management to switch it back on again.
On Monday, a three-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after he reportedly got his genitals caught between the steps of the escalator in question. It was reported that Fire and Rescue Department officers took about half-an-hour to free the boy with crowbars.
