GEORGE TOWN: The Bukit Kukus landslide has earned Penang the moniker ‘Pulau Pinang Darul Bencana’.
Penang Heritage Trust member David Giam said the name was most apt since Penang has recorded numerous tragedies in the past.
He said aside from this incident, the next major one was the landslide in Tanjung Bungah exactly a year ago today, which claimed 11 lives, including the sole Malaysian site superviser Yuan Kuok Wern.
“A lot of disasters have been reported in the state, and in future, we are not sure what will happen. And all these disasters are caused by one factor - development, particularly hillslope development.
“Last time, Penang was known as ‘Pulau Pinang Darul Sampah’ for its filth, then the state was known as ‘Pulau Pinang Darul Banjir’ for the constant floodings. Now, with the tragedies, it should be known as ‘Pulau Pinang Darul Bencana,” he told the NSTP.
He was met after attending a vigil for the foreign workers killed in the Bukit Kukus landslide at the site here today.
More than 30 people were present bearing white flowers and candles.
Giam said he particularly joined the vigil today in memory of Yuan. Yuan’s father is Giam’s friend.
Giam said there were no major floodings in the past unlike now.
“We, the non-governmental organisations, have constantly been speaking up about the uncontrolled development but were labelled as ‘troublemakers’ by the state government.
“The state keeps denying that nothing is wrong. We hope they will realise the truth after this latest landslide.
“They have to ask themselves where to draw the line,” he said.
Giam also questioned what happened to the findings of the commission of inquiry into the landslide in Tanjung Bungah.
“It has been one year and we are still in the dark on who is wrong. This is unsatisfactory,” he added.