The state government received another appeal from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for the immediate suspension of all approved hillslope projects as existing guidelines for such development need to be revised.
D. Kanda Kumar, Adviser at Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Penang branch, said that the projects refer to those already approved but have yet to start work and those that had started work but are yet to be completed.
"The state government should look into reducing the height of buildings currently allowed for hillslope development. The density of the projects allowed for hilly areas should be looked into as well," he noted.
Last Monday, environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers Association of Penang urged local authorities, state government and the Federal government to stop all hillslope projects.
The NGOs also pleaded to cite mangrove and forest areas as permanent forest reserves.
S. M. Idris, President of both NGOs, claimed that Penang is becoming ‘unliveable' due to ‘mindless development'. He added that the government who granted permit for these developments must disclose the basis for the approvals.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng earlier said that the new administration did not approve any project above 76 m since he assumed office in March 2008.
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