Penang residents, civil society raise alarm over large-scale hill-cutting

GEORGE TOWN – The largest network of civil society groups in Penang has expressed alarm at large-scale hill-cutting for a lengthy road now being constructed on the island.

At a press conference today, they echoed the concerns of residents who live near the length of the planned elevated highway that will snake around forested hillslopes to connect Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway over some 11km.

They urged the state to review how the project was being constructed, warning that it has the potential to cause landslides and massive flooding if the activity is unmitigated.

Their representatives included conservationist Khoo Salma Nasution, former Penang Island city councillor Dr Lim Mah Hui, Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader, Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Ramen, Malaysian Nature Society Penang chapter advisor K. Kanda Kumar, and former Batu Uban assemblyman Dr K. Jayabalan, as well as other activists. 

Some Island Glades residents lamented that earthworks continue until past 7pm except on Sundays and questioned whether there is strict adherence to the Environment Impact Assessment for the project.

Khoo also questioned if the elevated highway was being constructed by using tunnel boring machines, since three tunnels were supposed to be part of the highway.

“We are afraid of possible landslides since there is hillslope development. Also, there are no proper signages and it is located within a waterfall site,” said one resident.

Another resident asked if safety standards were being monitored at the site.

Trying to pacify the Penang Forum was Lord Mayor and Penang Island City Council president Datuk Yew Tung Seang, who said a top team of engineering experts from the state Public Works Department is monitoring the project.

Rest assured, the project has met the safety requirements, said Yew.

“A top team of experts is monitoring the project since the project is being constructed at a certain hilly degree,” he said.

The package is part of two other highways, which are from Gurney Drive to the same expressway and from Tg Bungah to Teluk Bahang.

Upon completion, it is expected to eventually be linked with the proposed RM30 billion cross-channel undersea tunnel, which is supposed to link Gurney Drive with Bagan Ajam. – The Vibes, March 22, 2023