GEORGE TOWN: An environmental group has demanded an explanation from the Penang government over a fatal landslide in Paya Terubong, questioning whether sufficient safety measures were in place.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the death of a doctor in this morning's incident was a devastating reminder of the dangers posed by extensive hill-cutting in environmentally sensitive areas.
She said residents and non-governmental organisations had repeatedly warned about the risks of major works in the area, which is prone to landslides and is also the site of a road project involving extensive hill-cutting.
"Unfortunately, we have been proven right once again," she said in a statement.
Meenakshi claimed photographs of the affected area showed bare, unprotected slopes, raising questions over monitoring and mitigation measures.
She demanded that the state government explain how the tragedy happened and why it could not have been prevented.
"Was there any monitoring of the slopes? Why were there insufficient mitigation measures?" she asked.
Meenakshi also criticised the authorities over what she described as a failure to learn from previous incidents, warning that inadequate oversight could have deadly consequences.
She called on the state government to take action if negligence was established and ensure those responsible were held accountable.
She said immediate slope rehabilitation and additional preventive measures were also needed to protect nearby residents and prevent further loss of life and property.
The landslide at Taman Seri Rambai this morning claimed the life of 73-year-old doctor Wong Kar Lin.
A stop-work order has been issued, while occupants of five houses have been advised to evacuate as a precaution.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the affected project involved the construction of a road and apartments and had been ongoing for more than a year.
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