GEORGE TOWN: Emergency slope stabilisation works have been approved at the Taman Seri Rambai landslide site in Paya Terubong following the submission of a complete engineering proposal.
State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) received the complete documentation and formal application from Aptitude Consulting Engineers Sdn Bhd yesterday.
“Following the submission, DOSH has granted permission for the developer’s civil engineer to carry out the mitigation works, subject to approvals and clearances from other relevant agencies,” he said today.
The approved works are expected to take between four and five months. They include emergency surface drainage mitigation (ESCP) and slope stabilisation in the collapsed area, identified as Zone 1.
The works will also cover preventive stabilisation of exposed cut slopes at the construction site.
H’ng said the developer and contractor had been reminded to comply strictly with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, as well as all regulations, requirements and directives issued by the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, residents of the four evacuated houses are still not allowed to return home.
“They will only be allowed to return once the mitigation works in Zone 1 are fully completed and certified safe by a geotechnical engineer,” he added.
The Oct 25 landslide at Taman Seri Rambai in Paya Terubong killed 73-year-old Dr Wong Kar Lin after debris struck his house. His wife and mother-in-law escaped unscathed.
State authorities have attributed responsibility for the tragedy to the developer and landowner of an adjacent condominium and road project.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that they could face legal action, noting that the slope failure originated within their construction site.
At an inter-agency meeting chaired by H’ng on Nov 2 to assess the ongoing investigations and mitigation plans, the state said that any formal finding of liability or negligence would only be made after DOSH completes its investigation.