He said in the meantime, the state government had asked for an urgent report from the contractors on what had happened at the site.

Chow said, ultimately, the contractors and engineers will be held responsible for what had happened.

On a question whether an inquiry was needed, he said it was not necessary for the time being.

He said this was because the inquiry was a lengthy process and the State Commission of Inquiry into the worksite incident in Tanjung Bungah last year had yet to be completed. Eleven died in that incident.

Chow said for the time being, he hoped the federal Department of Occupational Safety and Health would allow some work to strengthen the slopes at the site.

“I believe the site is not safe and the slope needs some mitigation work so that the situation is not aggravated,” he was quoted as saying in a news report by state newsletter Buletin Mutiara.

Some 100 rescue workers, including a K-9 unit, are still scouring the area for bodies.

A total of 13 victims were suspected to have been entombed, with four bodies taken out. The landslide stretched 50 metres down.

All the victims were foreigners, comprising Myanmarese, Indonesians and Bangladeshis.