The Penang government has formed an independent panel of engineering advisers to monitor and evaluate the conditions of all hillslopes that are being developed.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday the panel, headed by Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) chairman Prof Dr Eric Goh, will review weekly geotechnical reports submitted by the developers for their projects.
He said the move is necessary to ensure stringent steps are taken to avoid any landslides or disasters.
“We would like to give confidence to residents living on the hills as well as those residing along the foothills.”
There are eight development projects on hillslopes on the island and one in Seberang Perai.
Among the developers on the island is Ivory Continental Sdn Bhd, whose project on the Batu Ferringhi hillslopes includes three condominium blocks of 28 storeys each, 15 units of four-storey country houses, six units of three-storey semi-detached houses and a three-storey clubhouse.
The others include GLM Property Development Sdn Bhd (two blocks of 28-storey condominiums with carparks in Bandar Tanjung Bungah), DMV Sdn Bhd (37 units of three-storey bungalows on Jalan Batu Ferringhi), OJY Sdn Bhd (62 units of three-storey link houses on Jalan Batu Ferringhi), Ivory Meadows Sdn Bhd (a seven-storey block of luxury condominiums on Jalan Batu Ferringhi), Plenitude Heights Sdn Bhd (a 32-storey condominium block, 44 units of three-storey semi-detached homes and a seven-storey clubhouse in Bandar Batu Ferringhi) and Taman Ratu Development Sdn Bhd (45 units of three-storey terrace houses in Tanjung Bungah).
“The state government has issued nine stop-work orders since coming to power in March,” Lim said.
He said the Penang Island Municipal Council has been instructed to ensure seven key conditions are adhered to by the developers in their weekly reports.
Goh said the panel would also make regular site inspections. - by Bernard Cheah (TheSun)
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