State govt to have discussions on hillslope development tomorrow

GEORGE TOWN: Speculation continues to swirl with regards to the issue of whether the Penang state government will invoke a moratorium on hillslope development in the state.
This follows the decision to discuss the matter at Wednesday's state executive councillors' meeting.
The state was prompted to deliberate the matter following the landslide which buried alive 11 construction workers, including a Malaysian site supervisor.
State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow (pix) told a press conference that the state will discuss the issue.
But Chow did not specify on whether the state was considering temporarily banning hillside projects, or that such development will continue, despite concerns that such projects were ruining the ecology of the island.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is scheduled to grace the Penang Real Estate Housing Developers Association (Rehda) annual dinner tomorrow.
According to Penand Lord Mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Shariff, there were about 20 hillslope projects in progress now.
Penang Forum, the state civil society coalition has called for an outright ban on hillside development due to the landslide.
And the state opposition, Barisan Nasional has also echoed the sentiment.