KUALA LUMPUR: The collapse of the Perak State Park Corporation complex in Banding has set in motion three different probes by the authorities. 

While the state government plans to appoint an independent committee to investigate and determine the actual cause of the incident, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has directed the state Public Works Department to also look into the incident.

The state Anti-Corruption Agency, meanwhile, has formed a special team to determine whether any corrupt practices had been committed in the awarding of the contract and construction of the complex.

Its director Samsiah Abu Bakar said the team would interview the contractor, consultant and agencies that had approved the project.

Samy Vellu said the Perak PWD had been directed to conduct a thorough probe which would be able to shed some light on the cause of the collapse.

"I want to know if there was a structure failure. The Perak PWD director has been directed to submit the report to me so that I can brief the cabinet," he said in a statement issued through his press secretary, E. Sivabalan.

Samy Vellu said it was fortunate no one was injured in the incident.

"It is a very serious matter. The construction of the complex was not under PWD supervision but, being the technical arm of the government, the department will probe the collapse."

In Ipoh, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said an initial report by the state PWD before the collapse pointed out that the wings of the complex looked unstable while its main structure was sturdy.

He said the department proposed that the wings be torn down and that soil experts conduct checks on the stability of the site.

The report also stated that one or two support pillars had collapsed due to unforeseen deficiencies in "design, construction and material".

"We do not want to point fingers at anyone at this juncture.

"The state government will appoint an independent professional committee comprising architects, engineers and experts in relevant fields to investigate and determine the actual cause of the incident," Tajol Rosli said after the weekly state executive council meeting.

He said the committee would interview the consultant and contractor