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RESIDENTS of four houses near the landslide site in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, which claimed one life last Sunday, are still not permitted to return to their homes.
State Executive Councillor for Local Government, Town and Country Planning, H'ng Mooi Lye, stated that this measure has been taken for the safety of the residents, though the structural safety status of the houses will only be determined following a meeting with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) this coming Monday.
"Regarding the safety status of the residents' homes, the Penang Island City Council has issued a notice under Section 83 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, declaring four houses, specifically numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7, as unsafe for occupancy.
"Meanwhile, two of the six houses that were previously ordered to be vacated, numbers 9 and 11, have been granted permission to be reoccupied," he told a press conference today.
H'ng noted that any decision concerning the safety status of the area affected by the slope collapse depends on the findings of DOSH, which has already conducted an on-site investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
He said a meeting scheduled for 2:30 pm on Monday will involve agencies such as the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), the Public Works Department (JKR), and the local authority (PBT) to discuss the progress of the investigation and long-term mitigation proposals.
He added that DOSH is also expected to summon all relevant parties to gain a clearer understanding of the incident before determining appropriate action, should there be any evidence of negligence or failure to comply with regulations.
"If negligence or failure on the part of any party is established, legal action will be taken in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation." "However, we must await the findings of the DOSH investigation before drawing any conclusions regarding the cause of the incident or whether any negligence occurred," he said.
He noted that the developer has been instructed to implement immediate mitigation measures to reduce the risk of recurring landslides, particularly during heavy rainfall.
"These measures include covering exposed slope sections with geotextiles to minimise rainwater infiltration into the soil.
"Additionally, a pumping system and pipelines have been installed to channel water from the hilltop area into open drains, preventing water from stagnating or overflowing onto the slopes," he said.
Addressing claims that slope stabilisation work was carried out twice between 2018 and 2026, he clarified that these efforts were undertaken as a safety precaution before the commencement of road construction.
He added that all development plans undergo a rigorous evaluation and approval process, which includes thorough reviews by consultants and relevant technical committees.
In an incident that occurred at approximately 8:36 am last Sunday, Dr. Wong Kar Lin, 73, died after being buried in a landslide that affected his residence.
His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and his mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, 86, managed to escape safely. – October 30, 2026
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