Group calls for audit after boy’s death at Victoria Bridge

Three-year-old Abdul Rafee Abdul Halim tragically lost his life after falling from Victoria Bridge in Enggor, Perak, while touring the historic site with his father on Monday. In response to this devastating incident, the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) has called for an extensive technical investigation and safety audit.

The audit should encompass all aspects of the visitor route, including openings in the structure, barrier height and design, floor and walkway conditions, lighting, warning signs, access controls, and the site's overall suitability for children, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities. MSOSH president Ahmad Fakhrul Anuar Ismail emphasized that the inquiry must investigate whether the hazard had been identified prior to the tragedy, who was accountable for controlling it, and if adequate preventive measures were implemented.

He expressed that while a temporary closure and barrier tape installation were immediate and necessary actions, they should not be considered sufficient solutions. Instead, the site must only reopen following a thorough inspection by qualified engineers or other competent professionals who can confirm that all hazards have been addressed, including installing child-friendly barriers, sealing all openings, enhancing walkways, and establishing a regular inspection and maintenance system.

Fakhrul also stressed that the tourism industry must learn from this incident, highlighting that destination development should not merely prioritize historical value, visual appeal, promotion, and visitor numbers. Instead, local authorities, destination managers, tourism agencies, tour operators, event organizers, and promoters must diligently ensure site safety before inviting the public to visit.

He further proposed that safety audits be conducted at heritage sites and aging structures nationwide that have been repurposed or opened as tourist attractions, with priority given to locations with risks of falls, aging structures, narrow walkways, areas near water, and sites not originally intended to accommodate large crowds.

Fakhrul urged the victim's family to seek legal counsel and consider appropriate legal action to obtain explanations, accountability, and justice for the deceased. He stressed that heritage preservation should not compromise visitor safety, as the value of a life should always supersede the tourism value of a location. He concluded, "The goal is not merely to determine who was responsible after a tragedy has occurred, but to ensure that a similar incident does not happen again at any tourist destination in the country."

Abdul Rafee Abdul Halim, the three-year-old victim, fell approximately 5 meters from the more than 125-year-old bridge around 6:30 pm on Monday while walking with his father.