Should Penang halt all slope and highway projects pending review?

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Penang Should Halt All Slope and Highway Projects Pending Review

Penang Forum and Penang Hills Watch (PHW) are calling for an immediate moratorium on all slope development and highway projects situated over hills. This demand stems from a fatal retaining wall collapse that occurred three days prior to their joint statement, an incident that underscores the inherent risks associated with construction on slopes. The groups argue that a temporary halt is crucial to allow for comprehensive assessments, necessary remedial actions, and the rehabilitation of existing hill slopes across the state.
Need for Comprehensive Slope Assessment and Rehabilitation

The recent fatal retaining wall collapse has starkly illuminated the dangers associated with developing on slopes, regardless of whether such developments are legal or not. Penang Forum and PHW assert that a moratorium is essential to provide the state with the necessary time to conduct thorough checks on all hill slopes. This period would also be dedicated to implementing remedial actions and undertaking rehabilitation efforts to ensure the stability and safety of these vulnerable areas.
Review of Policies and Enforcement Capacity

In light of the recurring incidents, the two groups are urging the state government to undertake a comprehensive review of its current policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures concerning hillside development. They have also raised concerns about the Penang Island City Council's (MBPP) capacity for monitoring and enforcement, particularly in detecting illegal construction activities. The admission by MBPP that the illegal works, which led to the recent collapse, went undetected due to their obscure location below the road surface, further fuels these concerns regarding the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms.
Stricter Regulations and Public Awareness

Penang Forum and PHW are advocating for the implementation of more stringent laws and increased penalties for landowners who violate regulations related to slope development. They believe that tougher legal repercussions are necessary to deter future occurrences of such tragic events. Furthermore, the groups emphasized the critical importance of enhancing public awareness concerning slope safety and clearly defining the responsibilities of landowners in maintaining the integrity of slopes and reporting any signs of instability. This incident marks the third fatal event on Penang island in two years, resulting in a total of 24 lives lost, highlighting the urgency of these calls.

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Should Penang halt all slope and highway projects pending review?

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