CM grateful to PM for assistance
GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who has been told to relook the development plan in Penang, yesterday thanked the prime minister for coming over to help the DAP-led state as it deals with the aftermath of the floods.
Lim expressed his gratitude to Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his willingness to consider a RM1 billion allocation for long-term flood mitigation projects in the state.
Najib yesterday said the Federal Government was willing to consider additional allocations, depending on its budget, but had committed to RM150 million to address the flood problem in Penang.
He said Penang would need 13 projects worth RM1 billion to solve the problem in the long run.
During his visit to a temporary relief centre at SMA Rakyat ArRidwan, he cautioned the state government against approving development projects that could adversely impact the environment.
Responding to calls for him to halt developments that pose environmental risks, Lim yesterday said his administration was concerned about landslides caused by storms and heavy rains, especially near Penang Hill.
“We will take action to address this situation and hope that the public will respond to the authorities’ call for evacuation if the need arises.”
Earlier, Lim announced a month-long closure of Penang Hill, which was affected by the disaster and suffered 68 incidences of landslides.
Photos of landslides on Penang Hill, Tanjung Bungah and Paya Terubong have since gone viral.
Non-governmental organisation Penang Hill Watch (PHW) urged the state government to prepare for unprecedented rains and erratic weather in the future.
“The state budget must have a larger allocation for climate change studies, as well as securing hill slopes,” PHW coordinator Rexy Prakash Chacko told the New Straits Times.
On Tuesday, rescue teams brought down 36 hotel guests and seven residents from the hill to safety.
Thirty-two people were airlifted by helicopter due to rough terrains, while 11 others hiked down the hill.
Some 147 residents chose to remain on the hill.