Penang gov't told not to 'fool people' over hillside development

Penang BN has accused the state government of trying to fool the people over the hillslope development and landslide issue which killed 11 in Tanjung Bungah, recently. 

State BN chief Teng Chang Yeow, in a statement rebutted remarks by state executive councillor for housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo, who had said that the administration would never approve projects that exceeded 76 metres in height, by a hillside. 

According to Teng, Jagdeep's colleague Chow Kon Yeow had clearly said that 56 projects above 76 metres, had been approved by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) since 2008. 

"MBPP is an agency under the Penang state government, mind you," said Teng, who is also the state Gerakan chief, referring to Chow's reply in the State Legislative Assembly in November 2015. 

Teng also criticised Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for arguing that the Department of Environment (DOE) did not request for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project. 

"Let's not fool the people further. EIA is required for a housing project of more than 50 hectares, or 123 acres in land size. 

"Is the Tanjung Bungah landslide development area more than 50 hectares?" he asked, adding that a sighting by bare eyes would say that it is not. 

On Monday, Chow and MBPP mayor Maimunah Sharif told a press conference that the housing project in Tanjung Bungah was approved by about 20 federal and state agencies, except the DOE, and that it had complied with safety guidelines.

Teng said that it is clear that the state government and MBPP had ignored objections from DOE, whose expertise is crucial to such developments. 

Meanwhile, DAP Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik slammed Teng for saying the police is not the competent authority to probe the cause of the disaster.

Ng said Teng had insulted and slandered the police and brought into question the force's professionalism.

"At the same time, the proposal by Gerakan's national legal and human rights chief Baljit Singh, urging the case (to) be probed for murder under Section 302 and of the Penal Code, can be seen as a tight slap on Teng's view," Ng said in a statement.- Mkini