Experts: Govt should launch awareness campaign to be transparent on safety
To allay concerns brought about by anti-vaxxers, health experts suggest that the government come up with a campaign to educate Malaysians on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines. The National Council on Islamic Affairs has given the go ahead for inoculation.
Health experts are urging the government to come up with a vaccination awareness campaign now to alleviate public fears and concerns over the Covid-19 vaccine with the arrival of the first batch by February.
Universiti Malaya expert virologist Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said through a campaign, the government should explain how the vaccine actually works.
“What we do not want is the ripple effect after this in which not only the Covid-19 vaccine is affected but also vaccines for other infectious diseases which we have been using for eons.
“Anti-vaxxers are trying to sow distrust on vaccines. It is not just about the Covid-19 vaccine but their aim will be affecting all the other childhood disease vaccinations which is not good,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He explained that a vaccine can only enter the country after the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency ( NPRA) approves it although the government has made allocations to purchase the vaccine.
“The vaccine cannot be brought in and distributed to the people until the NPRA has verified that it is safe to use.
“The rakyat should not be concerned about all these other issues that are non-scientific, non-science-based and non-data-based. What the rakyat should know is that there are different platforms for different vaccines.
“This is good because that means the government is giving us the option of choosing which vaccine we want to take eventually as there are people who are allergic to certain components of a vaccine. Maybe when one vaccine is not suitable, another one is suitable,” he said.
So far, the Health Ministry had implemented a nationwide survey to gauge the interest of Malaysians in getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
It was also announced that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would be among the first to take the vaccination.
Universiti Putra Malaysia medical epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman said proper policy and regulation is needed to handle vaccine skeptics and anti-vaxxers.
“Once we have bold scientific evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine, the gazettement under the law should be carried out to disallow those who have no authority to talk against the vaccine, and there should also be provision on an appropriate punishment for those who talk ‘nonsense’ about the vaccine,” she said.
“In the Muslim community, the issue on whether the vaccine is halal or not have been raised by those who reject the vaccine. This group provides isolated evidence against the decree by recognised religious scholars towards acceptance of the treatment from the Islamic point of view,” she said.
Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming, from Universiti Malaya Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, concurred that a vaccination campaign should be set up while also being transparent on the safety, side effects and efficacy of the vaccine.
“The government should be transparent on the safety, side effects and efficacy of the vaccine. The total uptake and among subgroups of vaccination should also be presented to the public.
“The media should publish equally on information of the efficacy and safety as well as the side effects of the vaccine.
“Clear explanation of why the side effects happen, who are the high-risk groups and what are the chances of a side effect that will happen should be presented to alleviate people’s fears,” she said, adding that relevant government agencies should address religious concerns.
Dr Moy added that highlighting the fact that “all vaccines and medicines have some side effects, including Covid-19 vaccine” should be emphasised to the public.
It was partly cloudy but the mercury still registered a high 33ºC.
That was the temperature recorded here yesterday.
So for most urbanites, refuge from the heat comes from air-conditioned places. And barely anyone drives a car without air-condition these days.
Air-conditioners have become such a huge part in people’s lives that there is little discussion about the downside of extended usage.
But it has now been suggested that prolonged usage could cause problems – from drowsiness to affecting a person’s concentration due to high carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.
“I have measured CO2 levels in my car while driving from USJ (Subang Jaya) to Mid Valley. The CO2 levels exceeded 2,500 parts per million (ppm) for a 35-minute drive.
“So, I would expect the CO2 levels in bedrooms to be high in the morning, if all windows are closed, ” the Malaysian chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (Ashrae) former president Leong Siew Meng (pic) said.
Under the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, the ceiling limit for CO2 was at 1,000ppm for healthy indoor air quality (IAQ).
Poor IAQ levels have been linked to short-term and long-term problems ranging from allergic reactions, respiratory problems and eye irritation to sinusitis and bronchitis.
A research paper published by the Nature Sustainability journal, titled “Direct Human Health Risks of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide”, also suggested that even with a level as low as 1,000 ppm, CO2 levels have the potential to pose health problems despite exposure to it lasting only a few hours.
The journal noted that the health risks from high CO2 levels include inflammation, reduced higher-level cognitive abilities, bone demineralisation, kidney calcification and oxidative stress.
“High CO2 levels in cars also have the potential to cause drowsiness, ” Leong said.
He noted that some households would install fixed windows, which meant that they could not be opened.
With fixed windows, Leong said CO2 levels would build up in the enclosed space as many households used split-unit air-conditioners that do not bring outdoor air in.
“Those who are asthmatic and sleep with air-conditioning turned on overnight will worsen their condition, ” he said.
As a solution to sleeping in an air-conditioned room, Leong suggested that one should leave a small gap of between one to two centimetres in a window for infiltration of outdoor air.
For occupants who rely on an intake of outdoor air, he suggested installing a small exhaust fan in the room.
“As a solution for long-distance driving, latch open the vehicle louvre occasionally to bring in outdoor air to overcome the build-up of carbon dioxide concentrations (when outdoor air is not polluted by heavy vehicles in front or open burning in the surroundings)”, he said.
Ashrae president Ng Wen Bin said worsening asthma problems, allergies as well as sick building syndrome were health issues that could result from contaminated air conditioning units.
“This sick building syndrome is associated with symptoms such as nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, and skin irritation.
“There may be some microorganisms growing in the air conditioning system as the process of cooling warm air generates a lot of moisture and condensation, which must be discharged.
“So, if your air conditioner does a bad job of this, whether due to poor maintenance, damage or careless design, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, ” he said.
Ng said to better protect one’s health, the best defence is a well-maintained and routinely serviced air conditioning unit.
The Nature Sustainability journal noted that environmental exposure to CO2 should also be viewed from the perspective of vulnerable groups – infants, the elderly and weak, and high-exposure groups such as populations residing in urban CO2 domes and in tropical climates.
A September 2019 report published by Ashrae titled “Do Indoor CO2 Levels Directly Affect Perceived Air Quality, Health, or Work Performance?” found that several studies had provided “strong evidence” of reductions in cognitive performance due to increased levels of CO2.
However, the study acknowledged that the results were not consistent with other studies which found that there were “no effects” in the reduction in cognitive performance, adding that none could be found either on acute health symptoms and perceived air quality of CO2 below 5,000ppm.
Cool comfort: A mother switching on the air-conditioner in her children’s bedroom.
You’ve heard it from time immemorial. But it’s worth repeating even in 2020. “Get some fresh air!”
Experts have cautioned about health concerns linked to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).
Malaysia Green Building Council chief executive officer Tang Chee Khoay said fresh outdoor air was needed as it had the potential to impact a person’s performance whether at work or in school.
Those who slept with air-conditioning turned on throughout the night might wake up feeling “not sharp” and those who worked in a room with closed windows might feel easily tired due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, he said.
Hence, Tang said it was important to allow a small gap of fresh air to enter a room.
“Fresh air is dependent on leakages when you open the door, windows or some cracks between the doors to replace the oxygen which has been consumed.
“People often claim that putting indoor plants in the house replenishes oxygen, but you actually need a lot of it. One or two pots will not help, ” he said.
As most commercial buildings are fitted with a centralised air-conditioning system, Tang said those systems are designed to allow fresh air in from the outside.
But he lamented that most people chose to close the outdoor air-conditioning vent to save cost.
“There must be a balance in allowing outdoor air in, ” he said.
Asean-Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association (Asean–ACRA) president Datuk Seri Dr Ricky Yaw concurred that there must be a balance in the usage of air-conditioners.
He believes that air leaks through doors, ceilings and windows were sufficient for normal households while those with fixed windows might notice “stuffiness” in their house due to the high CO2 levels from isolated air circulation.
“High CO2 levels will make you feel very sleepy and stuffy. Even in vehicles, it is better to open the (outdoor air-conditioner) vent as a person will feel better, ” said Yaw, who is also the Malaysian Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association immediate past president.
William Rodney Yeo, the managing director for Airestec, a life and environmental sciences eco-friendly company that addresses indoor air problems, urged people to service their air-conditioners at least once a year to ensure good IAQ levels.
“Air conditioning systems deteriorate (when coils are not cleaned) which leads to greater energy consumption because airflow is reduced which then sees humidity levels go up, ” Yeo said.
Yeo noted that the conventional methods of cleaning air-conditioners with acid and alkalis should change too, adding that it was bad for the environment.
He suggested using eco-friendly methods such as bio-enzymes.
The Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said a typical level found in spaces with good air should be from below 350 to 1,000 ppm.
Anything more than 1,000 to 2,000 ppm, was associated with drowsiness and poor air.
And levels from 2,000 to 5,000 ppm were generally associated with headaches, sleepiness, stagnant, stale, and stuffy air, he said.
Many Malaysians unfazed by air-cond concerns
There are health hazards in the prolonged use of air-conditioning but for Malaysians who find the tropical heat simply unbearable, the risk is shrugged off.
Donald Yong, 57, is one, and in fact, he begs to differ.
“I have been using (air-conditioner) for the last three decades and I am still around. I am not dead yet, ” said the retiree.
“I believe air-conditioners are not harmful as it prevents outdoor pollution from entering the house. If there are concerns about skin dryness, then a pail of water should be placed in the room, ” he said.
He is not concerned about the health effects and spends an average 12 hours in the air-conditioned comfort of his home.
“The air-conditioner improves the air quality indoors and we get to enjoy a cosy environment, ” he said.
Freelance consultant Grace Low, 60, acknowledged the potential health problems but she was of the view that the pros outweigh the cons.
“I use the air-conditioner for at least three to four hours a day when I’m not working and an additional eight hours if I am, ” she said.
Low said that she would only use the air-conditioner to cool down the room before bedtime.
And when driving, she said she would not open the outdoor air-conditioning vent due to pollution in the air.
For Tajuddin Hussin, 30, who rents an apartment in Kuala Lumpur, he has no air-conditioner at home as it was not provided.
“When I moved in about 10 years ago, the place did not come fitted with an air-conditioner so I became used to it. After so many years living with just a fan in my room, I did not see a need to get an air-conditioner, ” the self-employed man said.
Engineer S. Ruth, 31, said she was aware of the potential problems arising from the prolonged use of air-conditioners.
“I am under an air-conditioner for about nine hours when I’m at work or more when I have to work overtime. So, when I get home, I would only turn it on for an hour to cool down the room, ” she said.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is the
committee chairman, said the MBPP as the owner of the project had failed
in its overall responsibility to supervise the project despite having
appointed Jurutera Perunding GEA as representative of the superintendent
officer. NSTP/MIKAIL ONG
MBPP among four named as responsible in fatal Penang landslide
GEORGE TOWN: Four parties have been identified as being responsible for the fatal landslide at the construction site of the paired road at Jalan Bukit Kukus last October incident, including the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
A special investigation committee set up by the Penang government following the fatal landslide at the construction site also named the other three parties, namely the contractor Yuta Maju Sdn Bhd, the consultant, Jurutera Perunding GEA (M) Sdn Bhd and the independent checking engineer G&P Professional Sdn Bhd.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is the committee chairman, said the MBPP as the owner of the project had failed in its overall responsibility to supervise the project despite having appointed Jurutera Perunding GEA as representative of the superintendent officer.
“By appointing Jurutera Perunding GEA, it does not mean that the council is free from responsibilities to ensure the success of the project from all aspects.
"As such, any actions to be taken against the council will depend on the outcome of investigations by the police, the Department of Occupational Safety and Heath (DOSH) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) into the incident," he said when making public findings of the investigation committee.
Ahmad Zakiyuddin said as for Yuta Maju, it had failed to ensure satisfactory mitigation works at the project site, and that the temporary slope constructed at the project site was not endorsed or designed by accredited consultants, which was a violation of the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) guidelines.
“It also failed to ensure site safety by removing the empty containers at the project site, where nine bodies were recovered," he added.
As for Jurutera Perunding GEA, Ahmad Zakiyuddin said the party had failed to ensure that the contractor abide by the guidelines set out by the BEM, while G&P Professional had failed to abide by the job scope given by the council.
“Following our findings, we have recommended that the contractor, consultant and independent checking engineer be blacklisted from any tender consideration for projects in the future.
“That said, they will still have to continue their works for the paired road project, until the project completion, slated for May next year,” he added.
The landslide at the Bukit Kukus paired roads project site on Oct 19 last year killed nine site workers and left four others injured.
The search and rescue (SAR) operation was called off after five days. The project's stop-work orders, separately issued by DOSH, CIDB and the council, were lifted up recently.
Ahmad Zakiyuddin said the special investigation committee also identified 10 main factors which had contributed the to fatal landslide, particularly not fully adopting best practices in construction work.
Other factors included:
* heavy rain on the morning of the incident at 55mm
* the contractor was unable to enter the project site to carry out mitigation works as stop-work order was issued by DOSH two days prior to the incident following a worksite accident
* unsafe construction processes
* failure to recognise the significance of an earlier incident (falling beams at another part of the project site two days prior to the landslide);
* lack of supervision
* failure to identify risk due to the change of process
* lack of comprehensive inspection and testing
* failure in risk communication
* poor management of sub-contractors.
Asked on why the services of the contractor, consultant and independent checking engineer were not immediately terminated following the incident, Ahmad Zakiyuddin said from what he understood, the stop-work orders issued on the three were only for one part of the project and not the entire project.
"Also, there was no record of safety issues prior to the landslide," he said.
He called on efforts to protect the remaining part of the project as a resu
lt of a negative perception.
"Any delay will put the project at greater risks."
To another question if the special investigation committee's findings would be made public, he there had been no plans to do so as the report served as a guideline for the state. - By Audrey Dermawan, NST >
‘MBPP hired resident engineer for Bukit Kukus project’
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) appointed a resident engineer and an independent checking engineer even before the start of the Bukit Kukus paired road project, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“If you see the action taken by MBPP, they understand their technical insufficiency in terms of a geotechnical engineer. That’s why in the contract, they required the main contractor to appoint a resident engineer, who was paid by MBPP to monitor the project on MBPP’s behalf.
“The independent checking engineers were also paid by MBPP. So, it was a measure taken by MBPP even before the start of the project, knowing that this is a big project.
“They did not have the capacity to monitor the project as they have only two or three engineers who have to be looking at other matters besides this project.
“So, they took action to appoint a resident engineer as well as independent checking enginners to act on behalf of MBPP,” he told reporters at the Penang Development Corporation Chinese New Year celebration at the PDC office in Bayan Lepas yesterday.
Chow also said the state would wait for the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) report first.
“We will leave it to DOSH’s findings. Let DOSH come out with the report and we will take the necessary action after that,” he said.
Asked if MBPP had to bear necessary compensation for families of the victims of the landslide last October, Chow said MBPP had not received any claim so far.
Chow was asked to respond to the Consumers Association of Penang’s (CAP) call for stern action to be taken against the wrongdoers responsible for the tragedy.
CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris in a statement yesterday said: “While we welcome the investigation committee’s findings as to who is responsible for the tragedy, we are concerned that apart from recommending the blacklisting of the contractor, consultant and independent checking engineer from any tender consideration for future projects, it appears that no further stern action has been recommended.
“In particular, we want to know what action will be taken against MBPP,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who headed the investigation panel, was reported yesterday as saying that MBPP and other parties involved in the construction of the Jalan Bukit Kukus paired road project had not adhered to construction and engineering best practices.
Meanwhile, MBPP acknowledged responsibility for the Bukit Kukus landslide tragedy as it is the council’s project.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council was not pushing away any responsibility or negative comments on the council and project, and that it would be taken seriously. - By Cavina Lim and Intan Amalina Mohd Ali, The Star
Penang landslide report blames contractor, MBPP and DOSH
The special investigative panel report on the Bukit Kukus landslide had not been made public, but excerpts of the findings were made available by the state.
However, it has raised more questions than answers as the state blamed the contractor, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
In an immediate response, DOSH Penang director Jaafar Leman denied the department was to be blamed for the landslide.
“We were not even invited to be part of the investigative panel to give our views. How could we be blamed?” he asked.
According to the statement by Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman who headed the investigative panel, the stop-work order on Oct 17 prevented contractors from entering the site to do maintenance works.
As a result, the temporary toe drain overflowed and water was retained on the reclaimed land contributing to the collapse of the slopes.
“How could a stop order which was issued on Oct 17 contribute to the landslide which occurred on Oct 19?” asked Jaafar.
He said the slopes would have been risky from the beginning as the contractor did not do any mitigation works to strengthen them and it does not make sense to blame DOSH.
The stop-work order was issued on Oct 17 after 14 beams fell in a ravine.
Earlier, during a press conference, Ahmad Zakiyuddin said MBPP and other parties involved in the construction of the Jalan Bukit Kukus paired roads project, had not adhered to construction and engineering best practices.
“The landslide was caused by many factors, which included a temporary construction of a platform to place machinery which was not constructed properly. The temporary platform was created to allow heavy vehicles lift beams for the paired road project.
“MBPP, as owners of the project, had failed to ensure all the hired parties carried out their job.
“MBPP had failed to hire a professional engineer for temporary works to design and supervise the site,” he said yesterday.
Ahmad Zakiyuddin said another factor was the downpour in the morning of the day of the landslide.- The Star
Kudos to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin for holding the four parties accountable for the Bukit Kukus landslide
tragedy. The inquiry still begs a lot of questions, e.g. why was the
contract given to Yuta Maju from Terengganu? Could the accident have
been prevented if a proper EIA was done? It is not just a "bureaucratic
hurdle" but supposed to identify risks and advise mitigation. If the
authorities wish to go on with the project, it is not too late to
commissi... See more
“This
is no simple incident as nine deaths resulted from it. Very stern
action must be taken against the MBPP, and that includes strong
disciplinary action against the mayor and officers responsible.
“Otherwise, it will be business-as-usual in the MBPP as the officers will be allowed to go scot-free with impunity.
Dubious honours: (Above) Former Penang Island City Council mayor
Patahiyah Ismail with the trophy and certificate for Best Municipal
Manager awards in 2013 while her Seberang Prai counterpart Maimunah
(pictured here with the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his aide Wong
Hon Wai) received the same latter award in 2014
A drone picture of the collapsed beams along
Jalan Tun Sardon leading to Balik Pulau on the left while Jalan Paya
Terubong on the right leads to Relau.— CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
(Above) A closer view of the collapsed beams.
(Right) The affected section of the project overlooking Jalan Paya
Terubong heading to Relau in the background.
Tragic Situation: (Top) A landslide at the construction site in Jalan Bukit Kukus, Paya Terubong, caused four containers to be covered with mud - Bernama, Closed call:(Right below) Survivors of the landslide surveying the scene
Checks show projects did not follow SOP
GEORGE TOWN: As the search and rescue operation for seven buried foreign workers at a construction site in Paya Terubong is going on, shocking information has surfaced that not a single construction site in Penang is following the soil erosion mitigation plan stipulated in their project approvals.
The Star has learnt that the state government has launched Ops Lumpur shortly after the general election, requiring enforcement officers from the local councils to inspect and report on every construction site in all five districts in the state.
A consultant civil engineer familiar with Ops Lumpur claimed that every single construction project did not observe the soil erosion mitigation plan.
He said Ops Lumpur was overseen directly by state exco members and enforcement officers were required to visit the sites.
"Their reports shocked the state exco members. Every contractor failed to do soil erosion measures in every site.
“Now you know why streams near construction site are always yellow when it rains,” he said.
The consultant engineer said the state went after developers who claimed they were not aware and blamed the contractors.
“Civil engineers are often disgusted when they do site visits because it is common for us to see that the soil erosion mitigation plans are never followed,” he said.
The consultant said it was easy to inspect construction sites and check on the progress and questioned whether state government agencies regularly conducted scheduled and surprise visits.
“How often do they conduct spot checks? How strictly do they conduct enforcement rounds on construction sites? If we keep contractors on their toes all the time, we might not have so many landslides,” he said, referring to the latest landslide in Bukit Kukus, the site of a hillside highway from Paya Terubong to Bukit Jambul is being built.
A teh tarik-coloured stream was observed flowing between Jalan Paya Terubong and the barred entrance to the highway construction site yesterday.
It has been raining almost every day in Penang this week.
In yesterday’s incident, rescue team found one survivor and two dead bodies. At press time, seven are still missing.
The Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call about the landslide at 1.56pm.
An Indonesian worker who only wished to be known as Endo, 36, said three of his relatives from Sulawesi were trapped in the landslide and he was working in another nearby construction site.
“It rained all night (Thursday). The rain stopped at 9am (yesterday) and resumed at 1pm. At my site, all of us stayed in our quarters and didn’t work because of the rain.
“I got a call from others that my relatives are missing. So, now I’ll just wait,” he said.
Last Thursday, 14 concrete beams measuring 25m long each, crashed down from an elevated section of the highway.
No injuries were reported and a stop-work order was issued pending investigations of the collapse.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who visited the site with several state exco members, said he reminded rescue workers to be wary while searching for the missing victims because the rain could have rendered the slopes unstable.
“All work has stopped here and the contractor was about to send in its report on the collapse of the concrete beams on Oct 11,” he said, adding that the place where the beams collapsed was far from the landslide. - The Star by arnold loh and lo tern chern
Water from stream identified as main cause of landslide
GEORGE TOWN: Water flow from a stream on the hilly area in Jalan Bukit Kukus, Paya Terubong, near here has been identified as among the cause of the landslide.
Azhari Ahmad, who is Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) director for Perlis, Kedah and Penang, said the finding was made based on its inspection and monitoring since Saturday.
“The JMG team identified several factors that caused the landslide, resulting in all containers on the hill slope to slide down with the earth.
“The main factor that caused the landslide is the water flow from a stream near the slope and heavy rain since Friday morning caused the water to overflow,” he told reporters yesterday.
Azhari said the department had taken immediate measure by diverting the flow of water from the stream elsewhere to avoid worsening the situation, especially during the search and rescue (SAR) operation.
He said further inspection conducted at 7.30am yesterday found the water flow on the slope was lesser but the department would continue to monitor the situation with equipment from the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team to ensure the safety of SAR personnel.
He said based on observation and inspection at the scene, the department found the location of the landslide to be at the concave slope which easily collected water.
“But we do not rule out the possibility of a follow-up landslide in the area due to the soil structure and there is still water flowing that can cause landslide.
“We have also advised the rescue team to stop operation immediately if it rains as it could cause another landslide,” he said.
Azhari said the department was assisting the rescue team in the SAR operation and did not rule out the possibility of it conducting further investigation to determine the actual cause of the landslide.
“We hope for fine weather and no rain so that the SAR operation can be continued until all the victims are found,” he said.
The landslide occurred at about 1.30pm last Friday.
The tragedy occurred following heavy rain in the state from Thursday afternoon until noon the following day, causing the landslide at the container and kongsi area at the Bukit Kukus paired road construction site.
Source: Bernama, Reports by LO TERN CHERN, N.TRISHA and R.SEKARAN
FMT - GEORGE
TOWN: The Penang Forum has repeated its call for all hillslope
development to be stopped immediately, following deadly
hillslope collapse ...
Geotechnical engineer Aziz Noor says the new project puts the people and the place in danger
Engineer: Lives at risk in Penang hill project
GEORGE TOWN: The DAP-led state government has turned a blind eye on the imminent danger of hill slope development, said a Tanjung Bungah resident.
At a forum-cum-press conference yesterday, geotechnical consultant Aziz Noor (pic) said building the proposed multi-storey mixed development behind the Miami Green Resort Condominium would pose a danger to the condo and its residents.
The development which has been approved on the class four hill, comprises five 29-storey building blocks, two 34-storey serviced apartments with 336 units each and one block of affordable apartments with 197 units.
Meanwhile, former Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, who is the Tanjong Bungah candidate for Pakatan Harapan, said the state government would review the guidelines on hill slope development. – Bernama
GEORGE TOWN: An engineer has sounded a warning about “imminent danger” from a new hillside development of eight tower blocks of apartments planned in an environmentally-sensitive area of Tanjung Bungah.
Geotechnical consultant Aziz Noor, speaking at a forum-cum-press conference today, accused the DAP-led state government of turning a blind eye on the imminent danger of hill slope development.
The proposed mixed development behind Miami Green Resort condominium puts the existing residence and its people in danger, he said.
The development has been approved on a 12-acre plot with a 35-degree slope on a Class Four hill, which exceeds 250 feet above sea level.
It comprises five 29-storey tower blocks, two 34-storey blocks of 336 serviced apartments each, and one block of 197 units of affordable apartments.
Aziz said that the project was not only in an environmentally sensitive area, it also contradicts the 2007 Penang Structure Plan that forbid any development above a gradient of 25-degree gradient and 250 feet above sea-level.
The design of one development does not guarantee safety. A Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment must be conducted and reviewed. This development puts the place and people in imminent danger,” he said.
Residents of the area said they had vented their frustration multiple times since November but had not received any response from the state government and Penang Island City Council.
The residents, together with the Tanjung Bunga residents association, had spoken on the matter many times, but no one seemed bothered, said one of the residents, Lim Liew Ming.
“Our lives are at risk. The upcoming development is a ticking time-bomb. Are the authorities waiting for a tragedy to happen, and only then act on it?,” she asked.
State Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow, who is also BN candidate for the Tanjong Bunga state seat in the general election, said the project should have been shelved from the beginning.
“We will put a stop to this. Even if we need to pay compensation,” he said.
The Barisan Nasional has pledged to declare all highland and hill slope areas of 250 feet above sea-level as permanent forest reserve.
Former Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, who is the Pakatan Harapan candidate for Tanjong Bunga, said the state government would review the guidelines on hill slope development.
Source:FMT.Click here to get live updates throughout the GE14 season
GEORGE TOWN: An MCA state leader has criticised Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the latter’s statement that more stop-work orders have been issued against hillside development by the current state government.
State MCA Wanita chairman Tan Cheng Liang said Lim, who is also the DAP secretary-general, had “conveniently avoided” revealing the increase in number of protests in the state since 2008.
“He boasts about more stop-work orders being issued now compared to when Barisan Nasional was helming the state government.
“However, he failed to reveal that there have been more protests by Penangites against hillside development since Pakatan Rakyat took over.
“The latest is the chorus of dissatisfaction by residents of Mount Pleasure in Batu Ferringhi, objecting against approval accorded by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) for the construction of 21 four-storey villas and 80 two-storey bungalows there,” she said.
She said the 2008 DAP general election manifesto unveiled by Lim promised to “preserve our forest, wetlands and bio-diversity” while Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy framework stressed that the “environment must be preserved for the sustainability of future generations.”
“Just six weeks ago, Lim said in a speech that the Pakatan government was proud of its record of not approving any hillside development.
“However, the voices of disapproval by Penangites are evidence that Lim, the DAP and Pakatan are deceptive,” she claimed.
Citing examples, she said on April 8 this year, Sungai Ara residents protested against approval issued by MPPP Planning Department for two hillside development projects and in February 2009, Tanjung Bungah residents protested and submitted a memorandum calling on the state government to ban all current and future Class III and Class IV hillslope development projects.
“In view of these protests and to deliver the DAP and Pakatan’s pledge to protect the environment, I challenge Lim and the state government to issue a stop-work orders against all hillside development projects approved by MPPP,” she said in a press release yesterday.
Tan also took a swipe at Lim for focusing on luxury residences but allegedly had no regard for the poor.
“Approvals are given for exclusive housing and condominium projects on hills, but scant attention is given to low-cost housing for the poor where no low or medium cost units were constructed between 2008 to 2011,” she claimed.
On Tuesday, Lim said more stop-work orders had been issued by both local councils since 2008 compared to previously.
He said this proved that the state government was “more stringent in upholding the rule of law, demanding strict compliance with technical requirements and more unforgiving than Barisan.” - The Star
Aug 26, 2016 - This
is apparently for a condo and semi-detached housing project by a major
property developer. The site lies along Lebuh Bukit Jambul, on the hill-slopes
just north of Inti College and near Equatorial Hotel in Bukit Jambul.
The irony is that such 'back to Nature' projects are being advertised as
'green ...
The DAP state assemblyman for Tanjung Bungah has hit out at state authorities for approving another hillslope project on the ... They were concerned about the possible violation of law related with hillslope development guidelines by either the developer or the state government, or both.
