The hills in Lintang Bukit Jambul being cleared to pave way for a high-end property. — Bernama photo
GEORGE TOWN: Land clearing seems to be taking place on hills near Bukit Jambul and Paya Terubong.
According to Penang Property Talk, a website advertising upcoming projects, the hill near Lintang Bukit Jambul is being cleared for a high-end property construction.
It said units at the project, called ‘Trehaus’, will be sold at a starting price of RM1.4 million each.
Dr Kam Suan Pheng, a representative of Penang Forum, an NGO, said 56 developments had been approved on legally protected hills above the 250ft or 25 per cent slope gradient across the state.
“Residential areas and commercial buildings must not be categorised as special projects as special projects must be limited, restricted and only be done if public interest is involved,” she said.
Meanwhile, State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the hill near Paya Terubong was being cleared for road construction under the Penang Island Link (PIL) project.
The hill clearing, regarded as an environmental disaster by NGOs and the local people, was taking place despite an assurance by SRS Consortium, the delivery partner for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), that the construction will not pose any impact on the environment as no “deep cuts and embankments” will be done.
The PIL road construction, which is part of the PTMP, will be carried out in two phases to connect Bayan Lepas to Bagan Jermal through Relau and Paya Terubong with the aim of easing traffic congestion on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
In order to fund the entire RM27-billion PTMP, the state government planned to reclaim 4,100 acres (1,660 hectares) in Permatang Damar Laut to make three islands, a project currently awaiting the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Idzham Khairuddin, 56, a former project manager, expressed shock that the road construction had already started when the main financial module, the reclamation, had yet to be approved.
“From what I understand, the PIL road is part of the PTMP and the PTMP is funded by the three-island reclamation and the DEIA report will only be completed in September.
“The question is how can they start the construction of PIL when the financial module of the project has yet to be approved? If approval is not given, does that mean the project will be abandoned?” he asked. — Bernama