GEORGE TOWN: Penang has directed local councils to consider pausing hillside construction during the monsoon season to prioritise safety inspections and urgent mitigation works.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) should instruct ongoing projects to monitor site conditions closely amid unpredictable weather and heavy rain.
"Perhaps they can pause construction work and focus on monitoring and, where necessary, carrying out immediate mitigation measures," he said after inspecting the fatal landslide site in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong.
Sunday's landslide killed 73-year-old Dr Wong Kar Lin after earth crashed into the back of his house and buried him.
Penang has experienced continuous rainfall since Saturday.
Chow said the move was necessary as weather conditions could deteriorate, requiring developers to take precautions to prevent further incidents.
"September, October and November are typically wet months in Penang. This makes close monitoring of hillside developments particularly important during this period," he said.
MBPP had issued an immediate stop-work order for the landslide site and given the developer seven days to submit a mitigation plan, Chow said.
The state had received reports from MBPP and the Penang Town and Country Planning Department, as well as a draft incident report from MBPP's engineering department.
A full report is expected within one to two days.
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