Penang opposition to table motion in state assembly after deadly landslide

Penang opposition leader Jahara Hamid said Umno assemblypersons will move a motion in the coming meeting of the state legislative assembly to halt all hillslope development projects until a full inquiry report is produced.

This comes after a landslide hit a hillslope development in Tanjung Bungah yesterday, leaving at least seven people dead.

Speaking to journalists after a visit to the disaster site, Jahara said written questions on the incident have also been submitted to the state assembly.

"We hope the state assembly will not block the motion," she said.

The last session of the state legislative assembly for this year will convene on Nov 2.

Accompanying Jahara was Umno's Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad.

Farid said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should not deflect blame over the disaster.

He urged Lim to review all guidelines pertaining to hillside development.

"Let there be no more compromise, for so many lives have been lost. Enough is enough," he said.

Farid also expressed his sympathy for maverick DAP Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu, who had apologised for the deaths.

Farid said the DAP-led government had constantly ignored Teh's many complaints about highrise and hillslope development.

"We also pity the residents who have raised many objections but the state government turned a deaf ear to their pleas," he said.

Penang BN Youth chief H'ng Chee Wey also urged the state government to stop hillslope developments.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the incident as a "worksite accident".

He also called for a full state inquiry, which will report to the Penang governor.

Yesterday, Penang Island City Council mayor Maimunah Sharif issued a stop work order and promised appropriate action would be taken against those responsible once the cause of the landslide is determined.

Taman Bunga Sdn Bhd was tasked to the develop 980 units of affordable homes at the site in Tanjung Bungah. It commenced its own investigation following the landslide.

-Mkini