Penang DOSH Awaits Documents For Taman Seri Rambai Landslide Mitigation Works

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 10 (Bernama) – The Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is awaiting complete documentation and an official application from the developer's civil engineer before considering proposed mitigation and repair works at the collapsed slope in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong.

State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye, in a statement today, said the documents were expected to be submitted by Aptitude Consulting Engineers Sdn Bhd, the project's Superintending Officer (SO), tomorrow (Nov 11).

H'ng said the Penang DOSH Investigation and Prosecution Section had earlier requested an incident report from the developer's geotechnical engineer, WYA Consulting Engineers Sdn Bhd, which submitted the report on Nov 5.

Yesterday, H'ng was reported as saying that any action against the developer involved in the landslide would depend on the findings of the DOSH investigation.

He also said the initial mitigation works, focusing on Zones A and B, were expected to take between four and five months to complete.

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had no objection to the proposed mitigation measures, subject to final approval and clearance from DOSH.

On Nov 4, H'ng said DOSH was investigating the exact cause of the landslide, including aspects relating to safety, construction, design and regulatory compliance. The developer had also been instructed to submit Pre-Construction Information (PCI) documents before mitigation works could begin.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said on Saturday that the state government would decide whether to establish a State Commission of Inquiry (SCI) after DOSH completed its investigation and submitted its findings and recommendations.

Previously, MBPP issued an immediate stop-work order on the condominium and road construction project on the slope near the incident site to facilitate investigations. The council also recommended that occupants of six nearby houses temporarily relocate as a safety precaution.

In the incident on Oct 25, a 73-year-old doctor, Dr Wong Kar Lin, died after being buried in a landslide that struck his home. His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and his mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, who is in her 80s, managed to escape.

– BERNAMA