Fearing landslide, Penang residents protest against hillslope project

GEORGE TOWN — Residents of an estate in Penang have objected to an upcoming high-rise project on a hill slope behind their homes, saying a recent deadly landslide in the state has heightened fears of a similar tragedy there.

Taman Sri Rambai and Taman Lau Geok Swee Residents Association chairman Ti Lian Geh said they have protested against the project and sent a memorandum to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to stop the project.

"We submitted an objection signed by 300 residents from Taman Lau Geok Swee back in November 2015 against the project of two 47-storey blocks and one block of 41-storey buildings right on a hill slope behind our houses," he told reporters Wednesday (Oct 25).

He claimed such a high-rise and high-density project on a hill slope would hurt the living conditions of existing residents and possibly bring the threat of landslide now.

"In July, there was a landslide from this hill slope, so we are worried about any planned construction on it," he said.

He claimed the proposed project was initially approved as a single six-storey building before 2008, but the proposed development plans were amended in 2015 to three blocks of high-rises.

"We hope the council will not approve this proposed development as it is a danger to existing residents," he said.

Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong urged the local council to reject the planning permission for the project due to its location on a hill slope.

He claimed it was above 76m, which was higher than the state government's guidelines for projects on hill slopes.

He said the landslide in Tanjung Bungah should be a lesson for the council not to approve projects on hill slopes.

A landslide occurred at a construction site of a 50-storey affordable housing project in Tanjung Bungah last week and killed 11 workers.

The state government has insisted that the project in Tanjung Bungah was on land below 76m and that it was not on a hill slope. MALAY MAIL ONLINE