GRIK: The State Park Corporation complex at Pulau Banding collapsed into a heap of rubble on Tuesday. But no one was hurt as the RM4.5 million facility was vacant. 

Numerous cracks had been detected on the structure and pillars of the complex, 60km from here, two months ago, and it was said to be "leaning" to one side. 

However, it is learnt that the state Public Works Department conducted checks only three weeks ago after it received complaints from officials. It submitted a report to the state government, suggesting that the complex's structure be strengthened.

Part of the complex, which was vacant although it was completed in 2004, collapsed last Saturday and is believed to have further weakened its foundation.

The incident is the latest and the most serious involving government buildings, which have been hit by flooding from burst pipes, collapsed ceilings, power outages and cracked walls. 

Several guards manning the entrance of the complex said yesterday repair works were being carried out at the complex when it collapsed.

"Thank God no one was hurt. There was no warning. We heard a loud noise about 8.20am and were shocked to see the entire left section of the complex gone.

"We were still in a state of shock when the right section collapsed barely an hour later," they said.

Boatman Muhamad Hairul Izuwan Dahlan, 22, said he was at the public jetty about two kilometres away from the complex when he heard a loud explosion.

"I saw a huge cloud of dust but shrugged it off as nothing as the complex was under repair.

"Only later did I learn about the incident," he said.

A check at the site showed it was practically clear of concrete and debris, which were believed to have sunk into the lake.

There were signs of massive erosion on the slopes, with muddy water still running into the lake.

The collapsed structure was the first phase of a project funded by the Tourism Ministry comprising an administrative office, a cafetaria, 15 rooms and an open car park.

The second phase, involving the construction of more rooms costing RM5 million, has yet to begin.

The complex has remained vacant since its completion as the small number of rooms made it uneconomical to manage. It was to have been the last stop for tourists visiting the Belum-Temenggor forest.