Summary
- Four major landslide incidents claim 25 lives between 2017 and 2026.
- Repeated disasters raise concerns over hillside development and safety enforcement.
- Latest Paya Terubong tragedy renews calls for accountability.
GEORGE TOWN, October 28 — Penang’s recurring landslides have renewed concerns over hillside development and safety enforcement under the state administrations since 2008.
Four major incidents between 2017 and 2026 have claimed 25 lives, including 11 in Tanjung Bungah, nine in Bukit Kukus, four in Batu Ferringhi and one in Paya Terubong.
The latest landslide killed 73-year-old doctor Wong Kar Lin, prompting authorities to halt nearby condominium construction and evacuate six households.
Previous investigations identified engineering negligence and inadequate safety controls, raising questions about whether preventive measures have been effectively implemented.
Penang Gerakan chairman Oh Tong Keong has called for greater transparency over hillside development approvals, environmental assessments and safety inspection records.
Authorities are investigating whether nearby construction contributed to the latest collapse, although no direct connection has been established.
The recurring incidents have renewed scrutiny of Penang’s hillside development policies, enforcement measures and long-term efforts to protect residents from landslide risks.
