GEORGE TOWN: AN environmental group has slammed the Penang state government for neglecting a bald hillslope patch here, after heavy rainfall on Monday caused a landslide.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president S.M. Mohamed Idris said the exposed section next to the Jalan Paya Terubong main road posed a risk to road users.
“The hillslope is a sensitive area but local authorities have chosen not to do anything about it.
“Remedial work is not coming and the likelihood for another landslide to recur is high.
“There is clearly a lack of urgency to address the bald patch.”
The bald hillslope had caused jitters among motorists plying the main road.
Checks by the New Straits Times showed that the patch, which was located next to a development site, remained exposed despite concerns that rain would wash more earth down the slope off Jalan Paya Terubong.
Motorists had hit out at the inaction of local authorities to cover the section with tarpaulin or plastic sheets.
It was learnt that the section was located outside the boundary of the development project and the developer was not bound by law to carry out remedial work.