Penaga assemblyman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah said the state had been struck by two tragedies in as many years which killed 20 workers. He said the proposal to build the hotels involved the high risk that more such tragedies would occur.

“I hope the state government will take into consideration the feedback from NGOs that want the projects to be cancelled as the proposal posed safety risks to the residents,” he said when debating the Supply Bill and the motion on the 2019 Development Estimates at the state legislative assembly sitting here yesterday.

He said PAS’ stand on the matter matched that of the Consumers Association of Penang, which wants the state government to halt all development programmes involving risky hill slopes.

He added that the construction of hotels along the slopes of Penang Hill would raise concerns over landslides as well as contradict the Special Area Plans.