CM: Hillslope development must go on
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has no plans to halt or review hillslope infrastructure projects despite the landslide at the Bukit Kukus paired road project site on Friday.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said development had to continue and professionals would ensure projects were completed safely.
He said there were regulations to control development if the projects were carried out in environmentally-sensitive areas.
“I think while we definitely want our consultants to address such concerns and safety issues at construction sites, development has to continue.
“And emphasis has to be given to control and monitoring,” he said when asked if the state would halt similar projects as called by various quarters.
Chow said as for the case of Paya Terubong, the state government would ensure that the project resumed only after the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) gave the green light.
He said the Penang Island City Council, as the project owner, would ensure that the contractor implemented better safety measures.
Chow said the first incident (referring to last year’s landslide in Tanjung Bungah) was unfortunate as it could have been avoided.
“It was workplace negligence. But of course, the second incident could have been monitored if the engineers were on site to look at the slopes and ensure that the slopes were engineered according to required standards,” he said.
He expressed hope that DOSH would recognise the fact and allow mitigation and slope stabilisation work to be done at Bukit Kukus, even though a stop-work order had been issued.
“This is to ensure the situation will not be aggravated. Even though a stop-work order has been imposed, safety-related mitigation work should be allowed so that the site can be secured.” On whether a committee of inquiry was necessary to probe the landslide, Chow said: “I think from a visual inspection, it was related to the slope and rainfall.
“An inquiry may not be necessary, but we will discuss it. It is a lengthy process that takes a year.
“In this case, the contractor and engineers have to come out with a report on why it occurred.”
It was reported that two people were killed, one rescued and 10 others feared missing after a landslide hit their kongsi at 1.56pm on Friday.
The Fire and Rescue Department yesterday confirmed that two more bodies had been recovered from the rubble.