PENANG Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang has clarified that it was a not landslide incident that happened off Jalan Batu Ferringhi but the collapse of a retaining wall at the backyard of a beach resort.
Four workers, who were working on the wall at the resort, died during the incident on Tuesday.
“Although the project (constructing a wall on the slope) was done in his own compound, the landowner must seek permission from MBPP to ensure that proper professionals or engineers were engaged for the job,” Yew told a press conference after attending the opening ceremony of the Karpal Singh Digital Hub in SK Sungai Gelugor.
Also present were Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh, Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Gurmit Kaur (the wife of the late Karpal Singh) and SK Sungai Gelugor headmistress Fairus Ayob.
Jagdeep reiterated that Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had ordered the Public Works Department in Penang to conduct a thorough check on the conditions of Jalan Batu Ferringhi and the slopes for 15km stretch.
A section of Jalan Batu Ferringhi, which is about 50m stretch of the road leading to Teluk Bahang, is currently being closed for mitigation work and to ensure the safety of road users.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahaya Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alissala Thian