RESIDENTS of Kampung Bukit in Jalan Paya Terubong can now breathe a sigh of relief following the successful completion of slope stabilisation works next to a home that has stood in the area for more than two decades.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang announced that the project, carried out at Lot 125-N in Paya Terubong, was completed significantly ahead of schedule, underscoring the state government’s commitment to safeguarding residents and infrastructure in hillside areas.
The slope sits adjacent to the home of Yeoh Phaik Lean, 53, who has lived there for over 20 years and was present during the press conference alongside officers from the Penang Public Works Department (JKR).
Ng explained that the project was funded by the Penang government at a cost of RM90,000 and implemented through a quotation process. The contract, awarded to Teguh Iltizam Enterprise, began on Jan 6, 2026 and was originally scheduled for completion on April 28, 2026. However, strong cooperation among all parties enabled the works to be completed on March 9, 51 days ahead of schedule.
“This slope failure occurred on Aug 20 last year and was reported in the media. Immediately after the incident, JKR, the District Office, the local council, and geotechnical teams inspected the site and confirmed that the house remained safe, while the slope required urgent repairs,” he said.
Ng added that the affected land was government-owned, which allowed the authorities to expedite the approval and tender process. He noted that similar cases can sometimes take more than two years to implement.
“With the assistance of JKR, we were able to speed up the tender process and prioritise this project to ensure the safety of residents,” he said.
The scope of works included the construction of a gabion retaining wall, stone pitching and fibromat erosion control systems. Drainage infrastructure was also installed both above and below the slope to ensure proper rainwater flow and prevent future erosion caused by surface runoff.
Due to the narrow and restricted working space, all construction works had to be carried out manually without heavy machinery.
“I would like to thank the contractor for completing the project fully by hand. Every stone and cement work was done manually because there was no machinery access. This required tremendous effort and time,” Ng said.
He also expressed appreciation to the homeowner for her cooperation in temporarily removing structures to allow the works to proceed smoothly.
The completed project has been inspected and verified by JKR, with the agency pledging to continue monitoring slope stability in sensitive areas throughout the Northeast District.
Ng stressed that the project will deliver long-term benefits to the local community while improving the safety of the surrounding infrastructure.
“This project is crucial to ensure the safety of residents, especially in reducing the risks of erosion and landslides in hillside areas,” he said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En