A DAP assemblyman has raised concerns over the safety of the Penang High Court building, saying there are falling bricks and cracks in the walls, endangering those who are within the premises.

In clarifying the reason for raising the issue, Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, a lawyer by profession, said he was concerned for the safety of judges, lawyers and members of the public who frequent the court house.

“Is the Penang High Court building safe?” Rayer asked in a statement issued today.

“For quite sometime now, in fact for almost a year, one part of the staircase in the said court building was closed as there were incidents of falling bricks from the ceiling.

“In some other parts of the building, big cracks seem to be appearing on the concrete ceiling,” he lamented.

“The plywood roofing in another High Court room seems to be about to fall off from the ceiling, posing an imminent danger to those walking underneath,” Rayer (photo) said.

He said he noticed that one of the car parks for the High Court judges has been cordoned off for the repair of the ceiling there.

Rayer also claimed that fire extinguishers in the building were missing and he wondered what would happen if a fire broke out in the building during court proceedings.

“I am forced to raise this as everyone seems to be busy going about their work, oblivious to the inherent and ominous dangers,” Rayer said.

He expressed disappointment over the situation, saying the Penang High Court building, built during colonial times, is an “icon” for Penangites and tourists, and called for immediate repair measures to taken before the building falls apart.

He also questioned whether the building had been issued with a certificate of fitness or occupation certificate after it was renovated a few years ago.

“The Penang Bar and the Bar Council should look into this matter and raise the issue with the authorities, especially Chief Justice Ariffin Zakaria, and not wait until something unfortunate occurs,” Rayer added.