Paya Terubong landslide: Penang to decide developer’s fate after DOSH probe

Penang Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the state government would await the outcome of DOSH’s investigation before deciding on further action. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 09 Nov 2026 6:08 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 — Any action against the developer involved in the landslide at Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, here, which claimed the life of a doctor on October 25, will hinge on the findings of an investigation by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

Penang Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the state government would await the outcome of DOSH’s investigation before deciding on further action.

“We will await DOSH’s findings,” he told Bernama when contacted to comment on possible action against the project developer.

On mitigation works at the affected site, he said consulting engineers had informed authorities at a recent coordination meeting that the initial work would focus on Zones A and B, with completion expected to take between four and five months.

However, the developer must first submit Pre-Construction Information (PCI) documents to DOSH for assessment before mitigation works can begin.

H’ng said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had no objection to the proposed mitigation measures, subject to DOSH’s final approval.

In the incident, which occurred at 8.36am on Oct 25, 73-year-old Dr Wong Kar Lin died after being buried in a landslide that affected his home, while his wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and his mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim (in her 80s), managed to escape.

The state government had held the developer and landowner of a condominium and road project responsible for the tragedy, stressing that they were accountable for safety and mitigation measures at the project site.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was also reported to have warned of possible legal consequences, while emphasising that the landslide occurred on the developer’s land.

A coordination meeting chaired by H’ng was held on November 2 to review the investigation into the incident and determine whether further measures were necessary to address safety issues in the area. — Bernama