GEORGE TOWN: Environmental watchdog groups and civil society leaders are demanding a State Commission of Inquiry (SCI) into the fatal Paya Terubong landslide, citing evidence that the affected slope had shown signs of instability for years before the tragedy.
The groups said an independent, high-level probe is vital to determine the root cause of Sunday’s (Oct 25) landslide at Taman Seri Rambai, which killed 73-year-old retired doctor Dr Wong Kar Lin.
Addressing a press conference, the coalition called for the inquiry to scrutinise development approvals, site safety protocols, potential negligence, and whether local authorities strictly enforced existing environmental laws.
They cited the precedent set by the 2017 Granito landslide in Tanjung Bungah, which claimed 11 lives. That disaster led to an SCI whose recommendations included legal action for negligence and tighter regulatory oversight on hillside projects.
Penang Hills Watch co-founder Dr Kam Suan Pheng presented Google Earth satellite imagery showing that sections of the hill slope directly behind the affected homes had suffered repeated failures dating back to early 2018.
Dr Kam noted that imagery from February 2018 showed parts of the slope draped in blue plastic tarpaulins—a common indicator of recent landslips.
"By 2020, that same section had been concreted over, indicating remedial works," Dr Kam explained. "However, by 2022, exposed soil and rock reappeared in the exact same spot, showing the slope remained unstable."
Images captured in January this year revealed fresh concrete patching, including on sections that collapsed during Sunday's landslide.
"This clearly indicates a pattern of recurring slope failures in the area," she added.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman expressed concern over proposed revisions to the draft Penang Structure Plan 2040, warning that the amendments could roll back crucial protections against risky hillside projects.
Penang Forum representative Dr Chee Heng Leng echoed those fears, cautioning that the draft plan might permit developments above 76 meters (250 feet) or on slopes steeper than 25 degrees on a case-by-case approval basis.
"This is extremely dangerous and undermines safeguards for environmentally sensitive areas," Dr Chee said, urging the public to submit objections before the feedback window closes. "The structure plan has governed Penang's development for decades. People must speak up now rather than wait for the next tragedy."
Aliran representative Henry Loh highlighted the tragedy's grim irony, pointing out that Dr Wong had publicly campaigned against risky hillside developments a decade ago.
"Dr Wong protested against hillside clearing in 2015, only to lose his life to it in 2026," Loh said. "This loss was entirely preventable if public safety had been prioritised."
The coalition emphasised that civil society is not anti-development, but insists that safety and engineering integrity must never be compromised.
The demand for an inquiry gained political traction as Sungai Dua assemblyman Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff threw his support behind the NGOs.
Fauzi drew parallels between Sunday's disaster and the 2018 Bukit Kukus landslide, noting both occurred in close geographic proximity within the Paya Terubong corridor.
"We need a full accounting of how these approvals were granted and whether all safety conditions were strictly met," Fauzi said. "Public safety cannot take a back seat."
Fauzi confirmed he will formally raise the demand for an SCI during the upcoming Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday (Nov 2).
Dr Wong was buried alive in the kitchen of his Taman Seri Rambai residence when earth crashed into the home at 8.36am on Sunday. His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, 86, survived the incident.
