GEORGE TOWN: Hillside development safety is expected to be a key issue at upcoming Penang state executive council and state assembly meetings following Sunday's (Oct 25) fatal landslide at Taman Seri Rambai in Paya Terubong.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said concerns over hillside developments, including the incident that claimed the life of a 73-year-old doctor, would be among the matters discussed.
"I believe hillside development issues, including the Paya Terubong incident, will be raised by assemblymen during the state assembly sitting.
"These matters will be given serious attention at the relevant meetings," he told reporters after opening the ninth Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE) 2026 on Tuesday (Oct 27).
Wong, who is also Paya Terubong assemblyman, was responding to questions about whether the state government would review hillside developments following the tragedy.
He said representatives of the developer of a project nearby the Taman Seri Rambai hillside project had visited the victim's family on Monday (Oct 26).
Wong said he had met the family at the scene on Sunday and intended to visit the wake on Tuesday.
Asked about concerns raised by civil engineers over the lack of sufficient setbacks between the development site and nearby residential properties, Wong said the project's engineers and consultants should provide the necessary explanations.
He said the project information board displayed details of the developer, landowner, architects, civil engineers, geotechnical engineers and other professionals involved.
"These are technical questions that should be answered by the relevant engineers.
"They should explain whether the construction followed the approved plans and whether the necessary supervision was carried out," he said.
Wong said the development was not an illegal project and that the relevant professionals were responsible for ensuring construction complied with approved plans and technical requirements.
On Sunday, Dr Wong Kar Lin, 73, was found buried under earth in the kitchen of his house at Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong at 8.36am. His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and mother-in-law Wong Poh Lim, 86, survived.
Wong said he had also received concerns from residents living near hillsides in other parts of his constituency following the landslide.
"Yesterday, I received information from residents of several housing areas who were worried about the hillsides behind their homes.
"These are not residents affected by the landslide, but they are concerned because their homes are also located near slopes," he said.
Wong said he had forwarded the information to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), which has a geotechnical unit responsible for monitoring hillside conditions.
He said the unit could assess slope conditions, including water flow and changes in the terrain.
Wong said hillside developments require particular attention during periods of heavy rain, especially during the monsoon transition.
On the recent flooding along the Bukit Kukus elevated highway, Wong said inspections had found plastic bags and bottles obstructing drainage outlets.
He said the flooding was believed to have occurred because rainwater could not drain away properly.
"The highway has drainage outlets, but plastic bottles and other rubbish were found blocking them," he said.
Wong urged motorists not to throw rubbish onto the road, saying litter could obstruct drainage systems.
He said MBPP carried out regular cleaning and maintenance, although such work was challenging along the elevated highway because of traffic safety concerns.
