Penang council instructed to map out development projects

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council has been instructed to map out planned and ongoing developments along the river basin and the fringe of hills.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the map would be ready in a few days.

“I have requested the mayor to detail all planned and ongoing developments to allay the concerns of the people.

“We would also like to know and be assured that these projects do not cause siltation, mud slides or flooding,” said Chow, who is in charge of the Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee during a visit to Chowrasta Market to check on upgrading work there yesterday.

Chow said many general statements were made but no one could name any development projects when queried.

“We should be guided by facts and not mere accusations,” he said in response to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s remarks that the recent flash floods in Penang were a result of “uncontrollable development”.

Dr Wan Junaidi said rapid development, especially along riverbanks, caused problems to the drainage system, which should have been looked into by the state government and local council.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said floods had also inundated parts of Penang Island that were untouched.

“Even Jalan Teluk Bahang had a landslide. There are no developments there.

“The landslide happened because of exceptionally heavy rain with up to 300mm in three days, causing floods even in rural areas.

“Let us look at the real cause of the floods,” he said at the Penang Development Corporation’s Deepavali celebration.

Lim said flood mitigation projects, especially the Sungai Pinang flood mitigation plan could reduce flooding and “possibly overcome it”.