THE state government, through Penang Island City Council (MBPP), has actively conducted monitoring and surveillance activities on hill areas to ensure that construction companies adhere to safety procedures.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said this is important to prevent any untoward incidents such as the Bukit Kukus landslide tragedy in 2018 from recurring.
“From 2018 until Oct 13 this year, on the island itself, we have conducted 8,613 monitoring and surveillance activities on the hill areas.
“From this figure, a total of 435 warning notices and 115 stop-work orders have been issued to the errant contractors.
“And we will continue to do so. Thus, this shows that the state government is taking the issue very seriously and we will not compromise on public safety,” Jagdeep said in reply to the Opposition Leader Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua) during the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
The Bukit Kukus landslide, which occurred on Oct 19, 2018, claimed nine lives.
On Feb 19 this year, the project director and the construction company were each fined RM35,000 for an amended charge of failing to provide safe working procedures.
Muhamad Yusoff, had in his oral question also, wanted to know the latest development of the Bukit Kukus paired road project, which connects Paya Terubong and Relau.
Jagdeep (PH-Datok Keramat) said the 5.5km paired road project has started construction since Jan 14, 2016 and is expected to be completed and open for public use in May 2021.
“The overall cost is RM545.6 million.
“The MBPP is constructing 3.3km of the stretch that costs RM275.6mil, while two other developers, namely PLB Land Sdn Bhd and Geo Valley Sdn Bhd, are responsible for the remaining 1.4km (RM150mil) and 0.8km (RM120mil) respectively,” he added.
While agreeing with Muhamad Yusoff that the project cost was high, Jagdeep told him that the Penang government undertook the project itself even though this public project should be shouldered by the Federal Government because the state government cares for the people.
On the timeline of the project, he said MBPP could complete its portion by middle of next year, probably in May, but the other two portions by the private companies might not be ready. They have said it could be in 2024.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud