MORE than 2,000 residents of Mont Residence and E-Garden in Tanjung Bungah, Penang are concerned about road works taking place on a hillside next to their homes.

The residents of two blocks of high-rise condominiums said the noise and dust pollution resulting from the work was disrupting their lives.

They told The Malaysian Insight they feared the work could also affect the structural integrity of the 39-storey condominium buildings in which they lived.

They said that the hill was popular with hikers and that there were no signs to warn them that road works were in progress.

A visit to the site found that patches of cleared hill slope were left bare and unprotected against the risk of erosion and landslides.

Mont Residence resident Darren Quah said he was worried the project would endanger the residents.

“Daily we hear construction work being done and it sometimes continues late into the night and as a result of the project, our house is polluted by dust,” he said.

“But what we are most concerned about is the safety of the people. If there is heavy rainfall will landslides occur?

“I don’t think the developer has complied with the safety and security regulations.”

Another resident, Wayne Eng, 31, said that a landslide had occurred in May 2018.

“That is why residents are worried that a greater disaster could occur,” he said.

“If previously there were landslides, I am concerned about the condition here and if the road works project would affect the condominium structure.

“After the flood, the developer built a large wall. But it does not guarantee that our homes are safe.”

According to the Penang Island City Council, the ongoing work is to build an intersection connecting Jalan Mount Erskine with Persiaran Halia 3.

The council had issued a statement on November 18 that stabilising works were being carried out and the project was expected to be completed by mid-2020.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia researcher S. Mageswari said that some areas were at risk of landslides in the event of heavy rainfall.

“There is also mud flowing into the Mont Residence condominium car park and the residential areas.”

State Public Works Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government would set up a committee to look into the project

He added that safety was a priority and that he had instructed the MBPP to closely follow the situation.

“Conditions such as sediment pools, silt traps, temporary drainage and so on are all covered in the erosion and sediment control plan (ESCP) provided by the project consultants.

“I will direct the special task force to inspect the project in accordance with ESCP criteria,” he said when contacted by The Malaysian Insight. – January 10, 2020.