THE Penang government is awaiting the findings of an investigation into the fatal landslide in Paya Terubong before deciding on further action, with authorities also reviewing safety measures and development compliance at the site.
State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said discussions had been held with civil and geotechnical consultants, the developer and contractor on Nov 3 following the landslide at Lebuh Rambai 13 on Oct 25, which claimed the life of a 73-year-old doctor.
He said the state will wait for the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to complete its investigation before determining the next steps.
“The authorities will also assess the necessary mitigation measures and site works based on the findings,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
H’ng said the investigation is being conducted under Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994. The findings will help establish what had happened before further action is considered.
H’ng added that the development decisions had been made collectively by the state and local authorities.
On the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project, H’ng said the state government remains committed to addressing safety and environmental concerns at the former landfill, where leachate and methane pose risks.
He said the project has not been cancelled despite the rejection of its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report. The developer is still required to fulfil the technical and legal requirements imposed by the relevant authorities.
A letter from the Penang Department of Environment dated Sept 28 highlighted the need to resolve land-use compatibility issues. The state had granted the developer an extension until Jan 31, 2027, to address the matter, although the previous extension of time had expired on Oct 18.
H’ng said the extension is not a privilege, and any extension has to be supported by reasonable technical and legal grounds.
He said PLANMalaysia’s guidelines on temporary planning permission for land-use compatibility had been brought to the State Planning Committee on Oct 29 for adoption. PLB Engineering Bhd (PLBE) had also applied to PLANMalaysia Penang on Nov 2 to amend its planning permission for the temporary placement and operation of recycling machinery, and the application is under consideration.
Under the joint development agreement, the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had been appointed project manager for the landfill rehabilitation. The project management fee was RM25mil, of which RM5mil had been paid by the state to PDC.
The remaining RM20mil is payable in annual instalments of RM5mil, with the first instalment due within 30 days of the commencement of works. As commencement of works has not yet been obtained, the remaining fees are not yet due.
H’ng said the state will continue monitoring fire risks and the possibility of pollutant overflow while a long-term solution is being finalised. The site will need to be rehabilitated and decontaminated before it can be sustainably redeveloped.
On Gurney Bay, H’ng said the recreational development on reclaimed land is not yet complete or fully operational, and the contractor remains responsible for outstanding works, defects and non-compliance.
About RM179 million has been spent on the project, which is expected to be fully operational in 2027. The Public Works Department is monitoring the contract and site progress, while third-party contractors had been appointed to carry out outstanding works without additional state allocation.
He said the Chief Minister Incorporated will prepare a master plan for commercial development at Gurney Bay to generate sustainable revenue and reduce its reliance on state funding for maintenance, while retaining its public and recreational functions.
By K.H. Ong