Environmental group calls for independent probe into fatal Penang landslide

An environmental group has called for an independent investigation into the landslide in Penang that claimed the life of a doctor, saying members of the public, especially those living beneath developed hillsides, deserve answers.

Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka) said the probe should cover the site visit by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) in August, letters to the consultant for the development project and the decisions that followed.

It also demanded the full disclosure of slope-stability and geotechnical reports, drainage plans, inspection records and compliance verification.

“The probe should look into whether MBPP or any other authority failed to take the steps required to protect residents,” Peka president Rajesh Nagarajan said in a statement.

Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported mayor A Rajendran as saying that MBPP had advised the consultant to take slope-safety precautions following a site visit in August.

He said the council followed up with a letter outlining the necessary measures at the site, although he did not elaborate on the steps required.

Rajesh said the public must be told what those measures were and whether the developer complied with them, saying the reported chronology suggested “regulatory negligence”.

He said if the authorities knew of the risk, they should explain what they did about it.

“If they failed in their legal duties, they must be held accountable,” he added.

He also proposed an immediate independent safety audit of Penang’s hillside developments, with work suspended at sites that pose a risk.

Dr Wong Kar Lin, 73, was killed when a landslide struck the back of his house in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, on Sunday. Two other occupants, including his wife, escaped.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia previously said it had repeatedly warned the state government of the dangers of hillside development in the area.