Tg Bungah project was never approved, says ministry

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry expressed disappointment with the Penang government’s lack of monitoring over the affordable housing project in Tanjung Bungah, where a landslide that killed 11 occurred last Saturday.

According to the ministry, the project developer Taman Sri Bunga Sdn Bhd began construction despite approval for the project being denied.

The developer's application to the Department of Environment for planning permission was rejected as there was no significant buffer zone between the construction site and a nearby granite quarry, making it dangerous for future inhabitants.

According to the ministry, Teik Granite Quarry, which has been operating since 1960, is located directly above the hill slope. It conducts blasting twice a month, with the last blasting being carried out on Oct 9.

"We never supported the condominium project as there were no sufficient buffer zones between the project site and the quarry.

"We issued a rejection letter on January 23, 2015.

"We are perplexed that there was no interference from the state government, this raises more questions than answers,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added since the development involves steep slopes, a detailed engineering study was required for approval, which includes an environmental impact assessment.

Desite receving no such approval, Taman Sri Bunga Sdn Bhd went ahead with the project, showing “blatant disregard” for the lives of its workers.

“We would like to strongly urge the Penang government to re-examine their plans to develop any hillside project.

“We trust the government will do the right thing and prevent such incidents from happening again and work for the good of the people,” the statement read.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had said a press conference will be held at noon today to respond to the ministry.

Penang Island City Council mayor Maimunah Sharif, meanwhile, said she will be checking her records as the letter was sent in 2015, before she assumed her current post.- Mkini