PETALING JAYA: The victim of a landslide in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, on Sunday (Oct 25) has been identified as 73-year-old Wong Kar Lin, who was said to be cooking in the kitchen when the incident occurred at about 8am.
Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai (Pakatan-Paya Terubong) said the cause of the landslide was still under investigation, including whether it was linked to a housing development above the hills behind the row of houses.
"We have to wait for the investigation by the Penang Island City Council and the project developer.
"At this stage, we cannot say whether the landslide was caused by the housing project behind this neighbourhood or otherwise," he told reporters at the scene.
Wong said the victim's wife and mother were upstairs when they heard a loud crash from downstairs.
The victim's wife rushed down to check and found the rear portion of their house buried under the landslide.
Technical assessments are being carried out to determine the cause of the incident, including the condition and stability of the slope, he said.
Meanwhile, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (Pakatan-Bukit Gelugor) said residents of about 10 to 15 houses in the nearby row had been advised to keep away from the rear of their homes due to the risk of further landslides, particularly as rain continued.
He said the residents had not been ordered to evacuate and could remain in the front portions of their homes while awaiting further assessments.
Technical teams from MBPP and representatives of the nearby housing project developer had been asked to attend the site to assist with inspections.
Ramkarpal said a stop-work order on the nearby development could be considered, subject to the local authority's assessment and decision.
