GEORGE TOWN: A dozen hillside houses at risk of collapse due to recurring landslides in the vicinity has been slapped with eviction notices.
Residents of the twelve homes at the popular Hong Seng Estate have been urged to move out without delay, said Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Yuey.
"We recommend the residents move out as soon as possible, because their safety is at risk.
"With the slope stabilisation work done by the state government, the slope is no longer in danger. But it is not safe for people to continue staying on and below the slope," she said in a press statement today.
The 12 houses that were served eviction notices include three that were already vacant and two whose residents had just moved out.
Yap cited confirmation from technical experts that the ground near the slope is no longer stable following several landslides in the area over the last month.
"Residents living (above and below) the slope are advised to be on alert.
"To restore the slope, vehicles and heavy machinery are needed, but we are unable to bring the equipment in because of space constraints.
"Certain houses will need to be demolished for restoration work to take place," she said.
Yap said the onus is on land owners to ensure that their plots are stable and do not pose a danger to themselves or others, and they must take immediate action to rectify any problem.
Residents at Hong Seng Estate rent land from the land owner at a low rate of between RM2 and M40 per month.