GEORGE TOWN, Jul 28 – The Penang Citizens Awareness Chant Group today proposed that the state government do a whole study for any hill slope development in the state in future. Its adviser Yan Lee said the DAP-led Penang state government had to do geotechnical study for the whole hill to ensure the safety of the people around the development project. He estimated 10 new development projects to be implemented in the state.
“Usually, if there is a hill slope development they will do their own study. The study is done only for the development area, so they do not know what is happening on the next piece of land. Citing the Highland Tower disaster, Yan said based on the findings, the landslide came from a plot of land behind the Highland Tower.
“The soil slipped and slid down, pushing the whole thing (building). So, we are proposing that if the Penang government has any hill slope development in future, it should study the whole hill … whether you can or cannot carry out development in the area,” he told a press conference, here, today. Yan said because there was no proper study for hill slope development, landslides and floods often occurred in the state, especially during heavy rain.
He said the state government also could use the development charges it had been collecting from developers to do the study for a whole hill. The local council should work with the Public Works Department and Management Committee to conduct the study, he added.. Meanwhile, Yan said he had sent an email to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to suggest a public consultation for the study of hill slope development in Bukit Gambir. However, he said, MBPP still had not responded to the email. — Bernama
