The landslide occurred at the construction site of a 5km elevated road on the hillside, undertaken by the city council and two private developers.

In a statement today, CAP president SM Mohamed Idris said the “Act of God” excuse cannot be used as the contractors involved had not appeared to have taken measures to prevent a landslide.

He said based on a news report claiming the implementation of social erosion mitigation plans were nearly non-existent in most hill projects in the state, it was clearly not an act of God and the government authorities must take responsibility.

Idris said based on a visit by CAP to the site, the clearing had taken place on a steep slope measuring nearly 90 degrees.

“There was absolutely no slope protection or soil stabilisation measures seen at the site, which is a clear invitation for disasters to happen.

“The Penang government and local authorities cannot claim this to be an ‘Act of God’ due to the rains.

“One does not need to be an expert to know that if you leave steep slopes barren, with no protection or stabilisation measures, it is bound to lead to landslides,” he said.

Idris said the Penang government and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) must accept blame and responsibility for a lack of oversight, strict monitoring or enforcement over the site.

He said it was embarrassing that a special unit in MBPP tasked with monitoring hillslopes had promised to comb through all hill development projects and ensure strict compliance but such a landslide had still occurred.

“This latest tragedy has happened just after the Tanjung Bungah landslide a year ago,” he said.

Idris said in other countries, officials from the local authorities who approved such a project would resign and accept blame for their inaction.

He said all other major projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan should be halted, given the massive over-development they will involve, and the lack of capacity of the authorities to oversee and monitor their implementation.

Idris said this clearly showed the Penang government or its local governments are incapable of handling mega projects.

“All the assurances given previously by various state and municipal authorities, and representatives of the state government and its parties are now exposed as being misleading,” he said.