GEORGE TOWN: Penang government must conduct checks at all hillside development projects in the state to ensure public safety is protected, said Citizen Awareness Chant Group.
Group’s adviser Yan Lee said it was important for the state government to order local councils to carry out the inspection as landslides and floods often occurred in the state, especially during heavy rains.
“The inspection of projects near hill slopes is required to ensure the safety of the people.
"People living near these projects are worried about their safety so we ask the local councils to do this for the people
“"Every time there is a heavy rain which lasts for two to three hours, the council staff must check all projects near hill slopes like in Sungai Ara area and Tanjung Bungah.
“Stop the blame game and take action," he told a press conference here today.
It was reported that heavy rains on Friday, which lasted for five hours together with waves of 2.1 along the coast, had resulted in massive floods in the state.
There were some 100 areas in Penang that were inundated, and a few more places had been hit by landslides.
Lee said the local councils must also disclose the details of report on their inspection to the public so that the people were aware of the situation.
“Last year and this year, there were two dialogues with the state government. It was revealed that there were 29 places of illegal hill clearing activities last year.
“It was revealed that there were another 12 cases this year. What has happened to these cases?
“It seems like they (state government) are using these dialogues as 'wayang' to show that they are carrying out work but they fail to update the people on the latest situation,” he said.
Lee said it appeared as if nothing has been solved to date.