YESTERDAY’S landslide in Tanjung Bungah is the result of the Penang government turning a deaf ear to Barisan Nasional’s calls for hillside development to be regulated in the state, says Pulau Betong assemblyman Farid Saad. 

“If the state government had listened to the NGOs and state representatives, surely it would not have allowed such rampant hillside development.

“This is why in the next state assembly meeting we will propose that all projects on the hills be stopped until proper research is done,” he told reporters at the site of the landslide.

Farid said he had handed in a proposal for the regulation of hillside development for the next state assembly meeting.

“I have proposed that all hillside development be stopped immediately until the water displacement plan and soil consolidation plan are sorted out.

He said unless drainage plans were discussed and the developers signed an accountability agreement for floods in the areas where their developments were, the projects must not be approved.

“Any development on hilly terrain that is more than 75 metres must be rejected no matter in what situation. 

Farid challenged Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to make a stand on hillside development in the state.

“I want Lim to state his stand on this, I want to see hillside development temporarily halted while a study is conducted.

“Guan Eng, enough is enough,” he said.

He said Lim should not continue to offer “lame excuses” for Penang’s problems, including over-development.

“This (hillside development) is a serious issue. The NGOs and the public are against it.” – October 22, 2017.