GEORGE TOWN: A DAP assemblyman has proposed for a royal commission of inquiry to be set up to look into the sinkhole in Persiaran Tanjung Bungah and the landslides in Penang Hill.
Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) said nearby residents had previously raised concerns before the landslide-cum-sinkhole tore up a road in front of a row of newly-built luxury houses on a hillside in Tanjung Bungah on Nov 5.
"Three years ago, residents staying at the high-rises nearby had objected to the development. But approval was still given," he said.
"A royal commission of inquiry should be set up to investigate the matter.
"It could be a case of negligence in monitoring on the part of the developer or contractor.
"Although there were no casualties, it has dented the image of the state government," he said while debating Budget 2018 at the state assembly sitting on Friday.
On the 30 landslides on Penang Hill during the recent storm, with at least two major ones near a Hindu temple and a mosque at the hilltop, Teh said this indicated "some disturbance to the area".
Teh also said there were many questions raised over the landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah which resulted in the loss of 11 lives.
"There could have been negligence when they approved the planning permission, negligence in monitoring the project and the compliance of guidelines," he said, adding that a commission of inquiry could investigate further.
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