Tanjung Bungah residents fear repeat of landslide

GEORGE TOWN: Tanjung Bungah was once renowned as an area with a beautiful natural environment, hilly green terrain, picturesque fishing village and rich sea resources.
That scene prevailed until some 40 years ago as recounted by several residents in Tanjung Bungah who have since seen for themselves the morphing of the area from a fishing village into an area of choice for expatriates to stay.
Not to mention, the Jalan Tanjung Bungah area is now chockful of commercial buildings and high-rise condominiums built on the hill slopes, akin to mushrooms sprouting after a rain.
Trader Azlan Zakaria, 56, who has a stall at the Medan Selera near Masjid Terapung, here, when met by Bernama, expressed fear over the rapid transformation of the Tanjung Bungah area which still goes unabated.
In fact, with news on the landslide at Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah on Saturday which took 11 lives, Azlan is worried that the ongoing hillside developments could result in a repeat of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, a resident of an apartment near Masjid Terapung, Nasir Bindot, 57, said hillside development must be stopped.
"Uncontrolled construction of high-rise buildings can endanger many quarters, especially those living nearby," he said.
Nasir, who has been staying in the area since 56 years ago, claimed a natural waterfall, which was a favourite go-to spot for Tanjung Bungah residents, had disappeared due to developments on the hill slopes.
A resident who wanted to only be known as Dayana, 41, staying at a hillside condominium in Tanjung Bungah, said there were cracks on the walls of her unit which was only 10 years old.
Based on a Bernama check, intense development activities were taking place at several hillside areas such as in Jalan Persiaran Bunga, Lorong Lembah Permai and Jalan Chan Siew Teong.
There were also cracks at several hillside condominiums which could clearly be seen from out side.
A hillslope area in Jalan Chan Siew Teong was seen covered with a large blue canvas, which residents said was placed there after a soil-slip incident last month. — Bernama