Selangor exco member in charge of infrastructure and public amenities Zaidy Abdul Talib and Menteri Besar Azmin Ali have issued conflicting statements over whether there is a stop-work order against the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE).

River realignment works for the EKVE had forced the evacuation of some 50 children from Q-Dees Kindergarten in Taman Kelab Ukay, Gombak after earth fissures appeared in the playground.

Zaidy, in a statement today, said a stop-work order was issued following the incident.

"The state government, through the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), issued a stop-work order on Aug 22 to the EKVE contractor by ordering that the Klang river realignment works to cease immediately and to focus on reinforcing the riverbank and repairing the collapsed wall to ensure the soil movement at Q-Dees Kindergarten can be resolved," he said.

However, Azmin on Aug 24, had said there was no stop-work order even though the purported order was issued two days before, as claimed by Zaidy.

Azmin, who is also Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyperson, had said that there needs to be justification if a stop work order is to be issued.

In the statement today, Zaidy expressed regret over the earth fissures at the kindergarten.

He explained the river realignment works had caused damage to the drain walls bordering the kindergarten and the construction site because the EKVE contractor had failed to conduct reinforcement works when it commenced digging.

He added that the EKVE contractor's failure to repair the walls and control the flow of drain water ultimately caused ground movement, which led to the appearance of earth fissures.

Zaidy said reinforcement works are under way and the state government will continue to monitor the situation.