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- Published on Monday, 11 January 2016 22:09
GEORGE TOWN: Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Penang Forum today held a dialogue with the state government to express public concerns over hill development in the state.
Its chairperson Datuk Dr Sharom Ahmat highlighted the slow remedial process at the bald section of Bukit Relau, which had the hill the moniker ‘Bukit Botak.’
“We see that the balding patch at Bukit Relau has been been getting bigger.
“The number of hill projects in Penang is a worrying and the land-clearing should stop.
“Our priority is safety guidelines for hill development and a holistic approach must be present to rehabilitate bald patches," he said.
The NGO engaged in a lengthy discussion with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, State Local Government Committee Chairman Chow Kon Yeow as well as the state local authority on various methods to resuscitate the cleared patch.
Among issues discussed in the dialogue were the hill developments taking place for special projects higher than 76 metres.
Penang Forum members took turns to point out their concerns and recommended actions to contain deteriorating hill conditions in Penang in the two-and-half hour session which was open to the media.
- NST
