The family of an Indian tourist who went missing after falling into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur is seeking fair compensation and plans to meet the Federal Territories Minister and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to discuss the matter.
Their lawyer, M Partiben, said the family hopes to meet Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh and DBKL Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud within two weeks to a month after the issuance of the victim’s death certificate.
The victim, identified as G Vijaya Lakshmi, was reported to have fallen into a sinkhole along Jalan Masjid India on 23 August 2024. Despite extensive search and rescue efforts involving multiple agencies, she was never found.
Her family is now referring to a previous High Court decision involving a separate negligence case where Kuala Lumpur City Hall was ordered to pay around RM824,000 in damages, in arguing for a fair compensation amount.
The legal team said they expect the authorities to consider similar precedents when determining appropriate compensation, citing alleged negligence involving underground utilities and geological factors.
However, the lawyers stressed they are open to negotiations with government agencies before pursuing legal action, depending on the outcome of discussions.
They also highlighted that Vijaya was the sole breadwinner of her family, supporting her husband who suffers from multiple health complications including diabetes, heart disease and mobility issues.
Another lawyer, Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi, urged authorities to expedite compensation or financial assistance, noting that the family has been travelling between India and Malaysia for nearly two years to manage the case and obtain official documentation.
The family also revealed ongoing financial hardship, including debts amounting to about 450,000 rupees (RM18,600), while also dealing with job loss and additional travel costs.
The case has drawn public attention as it raises broader questions about urban safety, liability, and compensation mechanisms in incidents involving infrastructure failures in major cities.
