Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) chairman Meenakshi Raman said MBPP had been told about an artificial slope at the construction site two years ago but that no action was taken.

Eleven people were killed at the site when the slope which was under construction gave way.

The SCI report had held the engineer responsible for the incident on Oct 21, 2017, saying it was entirely preventable.

However, it said MBPP could not be responsible for “scrutinising working methods” of earthworks plans.

TBRA commended the SCI report for its criticism of the engineer but said it should have been harsher on MBPP.

“As confirmed by the SCI, MBPP’s engineering department was told about the 60-degree slope but it did not make sure that a geotechnical report and an independent checker would be on-site, as per hill-site guidelines,” Meenakshi said in a statement.

“We believe MBPP should have received more flak from the SCI and not let off the hook, especially when it did not even conduct site checks despite knowing that a steep slope was being built.”

According to the SCI, the landslide was caused by the negligence of its consultant engineers whom it said had ignored three smaller landslips prior to the October landslide.

It urged the attorney-general to charge the consultant engineer in charge of the project, Khoo Koon Tai, under Section 304A of the Penal Code with causing death by negligence, an offence which carries a two-year jail term and/or fine.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government would hold a meeting to look into the SCI’s recommendations.

He said it would also review the 2012 guidelines on hill-site development.