Taman Sri Rambai and Taman Lau Geok Swee residents staging a protest to oppose a proposed high-rise project in Taman Lau Geok Swee, Penang.
Some 300 residents of Taman Sri Rambai and Taman Lau Geok Swee in Paya Terubong, Penang, joined a protest against the proposed building of three blocks of 47-storey luxury apartments and a 41-storey affordable apartment block on a hillslope.
Their spokesman Dr Ti Lian Geh said the residents opposed the proposal to build skyscrapers on the steep hillslope behind their houses.
“The land was supposed to be used to build luxury six-storey townhouses but the developer has recently requested to change its plan to high density apartments instead.
“Building skyscrapers on a steep hillslope is dangerous and we worry that the Highland Towers tragedy in Hulu Klang that killed 48 people in 1993 may occur in our neighbourhood.
“The high density project will also worsen the traffic congestion in Jalan Paya Terubong,” he claimed.
According to Dr Ti, earthwork by the developer had caused flash floods, mud slide and torrential mud flow to occur in the area.
“Mud sediment has accumulated in the Paya Terubong retention pond, and this may lead to flash floods in other areas such as Datuk Keramat in the future,” he said.
He also claimed that rock blasting behind their houses damaged the roofs of seven houses.
“Seven police reports were lodged after the rock blasting as many roofs were broken by scattered rocks. We want the developer to be punished appropriately, and we also hope that there shall be no more rock blasting,” he said.
Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin, who was also present, said he would raise the residents’ concerns with the Penang Island City Council and mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail.
“As far as I know, the project has not been approved,” he said.
On rock blasting, Yeoh said he had urged the developer to inform residents at least a day before any rock blasting work would be carried out.
“The rock blasting permits are issued by the Geosciences and Mineral Department and the police,” he said. - By The Star
1 comment
Whose project they opposed? Lone Pine?