He said although the quarry was shut in 2002, authorities had noticed “minor movements” at the site of late.
“We will send a notice to the owners today, requiring them to show us the approval issued by the Land and Mines Department to clear the land.
“As of now, we do not have enough information on what is going on there as it is private land.
“We will keep you posted once we get an adequate response from the relevant authorities,” he said in a press conference today.
The Star had earlier reported that a large swathe of land was being cleared at a quarry inland of Teluk Bahang on the northern tip of the island.
The report also showed footage taken from drones and Google Earth, revealing the extent of the clearing.
According to the English daily, the barren patch measured some 30 hectares near an abandoned hotel by the coast.
Th Star also reported that the lowest point of the clearing was 23 metres above sea level while the highest point was 103 metres above sea level.
Two weeks ago, the daily also reported on massive hill clearing on Penang Hill.
The Penang Government has since formed a state Hill Land Working Committee to investigate the incidences.