THE Penang government today reiterated its commitment to follow existing guidelines that prohibit building projects on hill land exceeding 76m above sea level and on slopes of over 25 degrees.

State local government exco Jagdeep Singh said the government did not allow building footprints on land that is more than 76m above sea level.

“We also do not allow multi-storey buildings on Class 3 and 4 slopes, meaning slopes that are over 25 degrees.

“These are the two controls we exercise,” he said this morning at the state legislative assembly.

Jagdeep said Penang would continue to lead where guidelines were concerned on hillside development.

“I have in fact called upon our new federal government to consider streamlining the national policy with Penang where this is concerned, (as under federal law) as they are allowed to go beyond 76m and Class 2.”

Hill slope developments, including illegal hill clearings for farming, have long been sensitive issues in Penang, where several non-governmental organisations are against them, fearing their environmental impact.

Last month, a landslide at a road construction site in the hilly part of Paya Terubong killed nine foreign labourers. A year ago, a landslide at a Tanjung Bungah apartment construction site left 11 workers dead.

The incidents have led to calls for a moratorium on hill slope development, including infrastructure projects.

Jagdeep also said hilly areas were difficult to monitor so trespassing still happened.
 
“Safety controls and patrols have to be stepped up, and works must follow the erosion and sedimentation control plan,” he said.

On the Bukit Kukus landslide, he said the state’s special committee was probing the tragedy to make sure similar incidents did not happen again, while  relevant agencies were also running investigations of their own.

“... allow the special committee set up to complete its investigations and revert to us with their recommendations. It is hoped that any unfounded allegations prior to the same are not made.

 “The Penang Island City Council has also ordered the contractor to deal with the surface runoff properly,” he said. – November 12, 2018.