Collapsing water tank misses maid
04/04/2007 NST By Alang Bendahara and Nik Nurfarizan Nik Ibrahim

BANDAR BARU BANGI: An Indonesian maid was literally a step away from death when a water tank came crashing through the ceiling of her employer’s house in Beranang early yesterday.

Rasih Kardisa was going downstairs to get blankets at 1am when the tank fell right in front of her.

The 37-year-old from Cerebon, however, did not escape unscathed as bits of wood from the ceiling of the house in Bandar Tasik Kesuma fell on her, causing bruises on her left shoulder.

Her employer, Safiallah Zakaria, 34, was asleep in the master bedroom with his wife Irda Sharina Samsudin, 31, when they heard the crash, followed by a shout for help from Rasih.

When they came out of their bedroom, they saw water gushing from the ceiling.
The water damaged furniture, a home theatre system and their 7-year-old son’s schoolbooks.

Recalling the incident, Rasih said she had heard what seemed like cracks coming from the ceiling earlier but had dismissed it.

Irda Sharina said it was fortunate that no one was hurt in the incident.

"My sister was supposed to stay with us and she normally sleeps in front of the television downstairs. It’s a good thing she did not come."

Safiallah, who lodged a report at the Beranang police station, said the housing developer, Agenda Istimewa Sdn Bhd, had sent a clerk to his house to check the damage.

The couple, who have three children aged between seven years and five months, purchased the house in 2003 but only moved in last June.