It said the terms must allow questioning and investigation of every official and related individuals at all levels, “from top to bottom”.
Its member Meenakshi Raman said the NGOs were sceptical about the commission proposed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as it might be “narrow” and focused on just occupational safety aspects of the construction workers at the development site.
She said a proper CI would not just focus on workers’ safety alone, but would include the environmental issues as well.
“We agree that the safety of workers is important. But more importantly, we need to know what national development laws were violated,” she said.
Meenakshi said the CI needed to address several questions.
“Was the Penang Structure Plan, a legally binding plan, followed? Why did the city council approve the project? Everyone from top to bottom must be grilled,” she said, listing some of the queries that should be tackled.
“We need to cast a wider net, so that this case may be an example to Penang and the rest of the country,” she told a press conference with other forum members at the Consumers’ Association of Penang here today.
Meanwhile, scientist Kam Suan Pheng said the Tanjung Bungah incident could only be expected when a development took place on such a steep and cut hillslope.
She said under existing laws, development at hill land above 250 feet and/or with a slope gradient beyond 25 degrees should not be allowed.
“The common practice by most developers now is to cut back the slopes to make it flat. So what is left of the slope becomes steeper, hence causing the slope to become less stable.
“It is clear that the landslide occurred at a hillslope with a gradient of more than 25 degrees,” she said.
“We must respect the forces of nature,” she added.
Forum issues six-point demand to Penang government
Earlier, the Penang Forum issued a six-point demand to the Penang government following yesterday’s landslide which buried 11 construction workers at the condominium project site in Tanjung Bungah.
The grouping firstly wants the local authorities to stop all hillslope projects immediately.
It also called the state government to change the 2009 guidelines on awarding “special project” status to development taking place on hill lands, with an exception if it was required for public services.
“We also want the government to rehabilitate all existing exposed and barren slopes and spaces to prevent further soil erosion,” said a statement read out at the press conference.
The NGOs also want the Penang government to undertake stern enforcement, as well as effective and deterrent punishment on those who clear land illegally.
Those who do not follow the conditions imposed to prevent soil erosion must be made to “face the music”, they said.
“All hills must be monitored frequently and effectively by the local authorities,” the statement said, adding that the public should be warned about all hillslopes and areas that are not safe.
‘Bald patches at Penang Hill need attention too’
During a question-and-answer session later, Joint Residents’ Association of Bandar Baru Air Itam spokesperson K Suthakar said he and other residents had noticed rampant hill clearing on the Penang Hill range.
He said he had reported the increasing bald patches, but no action was taken.
“Even during Deepavali we saw many parts of the hill up in smoke. We have reached out to the Penang government, executive council member and even land office to check on these bald patches.
“We have raised this 1,001 times, but all have fallen on deaf ears. There is no political will at all,” he said.
“When they are in the opposition they would say ‘yes we must do something’, ‘we must protest this’. But when you are in power you forget everything. I suppose power intoxicates you,” said Suthakar, who represented seven residents’ associations from Bandar Baru Air Itam.