Penang NGOs demand independent inquiry into fatal Paya Terubong landslide

A coalition of Penang NGOs, including Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), has called for an independent inquiry into the fatal landslide at Paya Terubong. The incident, which occurred on Sunday and claimed the life of a 73-year-old doctor, has prompted the groups to urge the state government to establish a State Commission of Inquiry (SCI) to investigate the tragedy.

The inquiry would examine the cause of the landslide, scrutinize approvals granted by relevant authorities, identify potential negligence, and determine responsibility. Meenakshi Raman, president of SAM, cited the Granito tragedy in Tanjung Bungah as a precedent for an independent inquiry, stating that recommendations were made to state authorities on hillside development and regulatory oversight.

The NGOs also expressed concern over the draft Penang Structure Plan 2040, which proposes allowing development on hills and slopes above 76m or with gradients exceeding 25 degrees, warning that it represents a departure from the existing Penang Structure Plan 2030 and has raised objections. They demanded that the proposed relaxation of hillside development restrictions be withdrawn, calling for those responsible for the latest landslide to face the full extent of the law.

The call for an independent inquiry was backed by state opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff, who emphasized the need for public safety and warned against repeating mistakes following previous landslide tragedies.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.