GEORGE TOWN: The consulting engineer for the Bukit Kukus paired road project has refuted claims that the soil structure at the site was not suitable for development.
Jurutera Perunding GEA (M) Sdn Bhd said it found Universiti Sains Malaysia Landslide, Disaster Management and Soil Erosion expert Professor Dr Habibah Lateh’s statement inaccurate.
“She does not have prior information of the readings and the intent of the works carried out at site,” it said in a statement.
The firm is the consulting engineer for project owner Penang Island City Council.
Habibah had said that if the Bukit Kukus paired road project had proceeded as planned, then it would spell greater disaster.
She had said that this was because the soil structure, used particularly to fill the site, was not suitable as they comprised sandy soil.
She had also said that the bedrock structure at the site further worsen the situation as the hill comprise granite stones.
“The sandy soil there makes the whole structure not strong and solid for such development. It is definitely not the right soil. That is the weakness.
“If the project had proceeded as planned, without the landslide now, it will still spell danger in future due to the soil structure.
“I am not here to find fault with anyone but it seems that we have not learn from past disasters,” she was quoted as saying.
Habibah had also questioned who had monitored the project, and if the engineers had gone down to the ground to monitor the situation.
Last Friday, a massive landslide occurred at the Bukit Kukus paired road project site in Paya Terubong, which claimed nine lives.
Three others were pulled to safety.
The incident came two days before the first anniversary of yet another deadly landslide in Tanjung Bungah on Oct 21 last year, which claimed 11 lives.