SIX families living in Taman Seri Rambai have been temporarily relocated following the fatal landslide in Paya Terubong, Penang, as a comprehensive geotechnical assessment is carried out at the site.
Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, who is also state executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, said this when speaking to reporters after a press conference on the 2026 Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta at Komtar today.
“The six families are now staying either at hotels or with relatives or friends,” he said.
A 73-year-old doctor was killed when a landslide struck his home yesterday morning.
Wong said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had issued a stop-work order for a housing development project in the area pending safety inspections, including geotechnical studies and the implementation of immediate mitigation measures.
He added that continued rain this morning had raised concerns that water could further erode the slope. Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and other relevant agencies have remained at the scene since the incident to monitor the situation.
On claims that residents had opposed the development project about nine years ago, Wong said he was then the assemblyman for a neighbouring constituency.
To his knowledge, residents had appealed against the project to the Planning Appeal Board, which subsequently imposed several conditions that the developer had to comply with.
Nevertheless, he said the immediate priority now is to have an independent geotechnical engineer assess the slope and drainage issues. The City Council will then decide on the next course of action based on the findings.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud and courtesy of YB Wong’s office