The Penang Hills Watch (PHW) initiative of Penang Forum (PF) has submitted its maiden report on hill-clearing cases in Penang to the state government. The report, submitted on 2 January 2017, covers cases and complaints that PHW has tracked over the past few months.
Last week, Penang Forum, State Executive Councillor for Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment YB Chow Kon Yeow and MBPP Director of Engineering Ir Addnan Mohd Razali discussed details of these cases during a closed-door meeting.
Penang Forum representative Rexy Prakash Chacko said that there are currently 126 documented reports on the PHW page out of which 86 were from the state government’s own records and 40 from the public. Of these, 29 public reports were submitted to the state government as others had been verified independently by the state government.
While the scope of PHW includes the whole of Penang state, all the reports received were from the island and centred on the middle belt of the island’s hills. The report zoned the island into three separate regions. Cases from each region detail the location, its geo tag and a photo of the clearing activity to help in investigations. Cases of hill clearing activity documented include both those for agricultural purposes and hill-slope development.
In its reply to the PHW report, the Penang state government clarified that out of the 29 cases documented by PHW, 14 were legally permitted land works, nine were illegal clearing activities, one was a case of natural slope failure and a further five are under investigation with other relevant departments. The nine cases of illegal clearing have been issued stop work orders or are being followed up by court action.
The cases are as shown in the table below:
|
Cases |
Number |
State government action |
|
Approved legal |
14 |
Monitoring |
|
Illegal |
9 |
Stop work order/Court action |
|
Natural slope failure |
1 |
Notice sent |
|
Under investigation |
5 |
Pending |
|
Total |
29 |
Rexy commended the Penang state government’s concern and transparency in responding to the PHW report. He added that the nine cases of illegal clearing which were documented have to be followed closely and if necessary, mitigation action taken to rehabilitate these areas. As for the cases which are legally permitted, it would be good that they adhere strictly to relevant state laws with regard to land work and drainage.
Penang Forum sincerely hopes that in line with the state’s initiative for a “Cleaner and Greener Penang”, the submission of this report and subsequent PHW reports will help the state government track hill-clearing in Penang and enable close cooperation between the state government and civil society in tackling one of Penang’s most troubling issues.
About Penang Hills Watch
Launched in October 2016, Penang Hills Watch (PHW) is a citizens-oriented initiative to provide an information platform for keeping watch on activities affecting the hills of Penang.
The public can view and download the submitted PHW report as well as the response from the state government, at the Penang Hills Watch Facebook page (@PenangHillsWatch) or the Penang Forum website and see them interactively on a map at the Penang Hills Watch page.
Reports of hill-clearing can be submitted via WhatsApp to the PHW hotline at +6011-51274277, via email (pghillswatch@gmail.com) or through its Facebook page (@PenangHillsWatch).
Relevant documents and information
1. Penang Hills Watch Report 2016
2. The state government’s summary of the 29 cases highlighted by PHW:
RUMUSAN LAPORAN TINDAKAN BERKAITAN ADUAN DARI PENANG HILLS WATCH 2016
|
BIL. |
KES ADUAN |
BILANGAN |
TINDAKAN MBPP |
|
1. |
KERJA TANAH ADA KELULUSAN |
14 |
KERJA TANAH DALAM PEMANTAUAN |
|
2. |
KERJA TANAH TANPA KELULUSAN MBPP |
9 |
NOTIS BERHENTI KERJA/ TINDAKAN UNDANG-UNDANG |
|
3. |
HAKISAN CERUN (SLOPE FAILURE) & TANAH RUNTUH |
1 |
|
|
4. |
KERJA TANAH YANG DIJALANKAN DI ATAS TANAH MILIK KERAJAAN |
3 |
SURAT PEMBERITAHUAN/ RUJUK JABATAN BERKAITAN- JKR/DO/PTG |
|
5. |
KERJA TANAH – PROJEK MBPP |
1 |
KERJA TANAH DALAM PEMANTAUAN/TINDAKAN MBPP |
|
6. |
KERJA-KERJA KUARI |
1 |
BIDANGKUASA PTG |
|
JUMLAH ADUAN |
29 |
3. The state government’s detailed response to the 29 cases
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Singapore’s land-based high-tech fish farm in Brunei. Penang government can consider collaborating with Singapore on this. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/local-firms-brunei-fish-farm-to-help-boost-food-security In a boost for Singapore’s food security, local company Apollo Aquaculture Group will be setting up a high-tech farm in Brunei in a joint venture. Mr Eric Ng, 44, group chief executive officer of Apollo Aquaculture Group, said the vertical fish-farming system will be remotely controlled and monitored from Apollo Aqua- culture’s farm in Singapore. With underwater sensors to measure parameters like temperature and salinity, the need for manpower is reduced and workers can respond to emergencies quickly, he said. Noting that the… Read more »
Our government must emulate Singapore in such venture since the fish stock in the open sea is dwindling due to overfishing. Also unlikely for young generation to take the hazardous career as fishermen.
Even Australia is having salmon farming in Tasmania. Check YouTube for details.
Are you falling for the Niao Kong’s penchant for playing on emo-fever every time it’s hit by a challenge or a threat? The “I Love Penang” campaign will definitely be a hit b’cos there are those ready emo-knee-jerk of Jerks ready to do Niao Kong’s bidding. More than 3 red joss sticks! Why not be a more precise, thick faced & truthful campaign with slogans like these: “I Love Penang – Desired by Many, Possessed by A Few” “I Love Botak-ed Penang” “I Love Penang of Tunnels & Flying Highways” “I Love Cost-More-Politan Penang” “I Love 3+1 Penang Islands” “I… Read more »
Penang Forum should be mindful that Umno plans to make Penang a federal territory. Not sure if Penang people could be swayed by BN with promise of restoration of free port with duty free status?
Indeed this is a critical matter Penang Forum must look into.
Penang becoming a FT will mean more damage from BN.
Prevention is cure.
Why dedak like tun lang and engineer remains quiet and supportive to taking over by FT? The minister wants to build more houses.
You have nothing constructive but simply shoot…!
Go find out what is the pro + con of being a Federal status… !
You .. always spin with it. What so grand and pros about federal status? You pay for mayor and minster and yet you have no right to elect the person. You love the federal status because the officers are riding … horses and they can only patrol lake gardens. Dedak is you who really needs to catch up. Why no mention of trams or lrts if pg becomes a federal?
Is KL housing really cheaper that Penang? A combined household income of RM8000.00 per month cannot even afford an apartment of 1000 sq ft within FT KL, it can only be in Selangor.
Since Ku Nan claims to champion the cause of Malays, and if KL homes is so affordable, tell us the proportion of Malays families that can afford reasonable housing within FT KL?
Readers should not confuse FT KL with Selangor.
If not Penang islanders can live on mainland for lower housing costs and commute to work to the island daily.
The Penang government’s policies had allowed 20,887 affordable housing units to be built since 2008 with another 65,796 units to be built over the next 10 to 15 years.
State exco member in charge of housing Jagdeep Singh Deo said that in contrast, not a single affordable home under Putrajaya’s PR1MA and PPA1M housing scheme has been built in the state.
http://m.malaysiakini.com/news/371548
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has called on FT minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to explain his “Malays neglected in Penang” remark to the police.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=a32DmiPX6pA
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has called on FT minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to explain his “Malays neglected in Penang” remark to the police.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=a32DmiPX6pA
Anil you can raise more fund to sustain your justice blog by offering readers your version of “I Love Penang” on the front of T Shirts, can sell for RM30.
At the back of the shirts you can print various statements you champion.
“I Love Penang” will be a hit to counter the FT move by Umno. The back of the T-shirt can have the “Heng, Ong, Huat” slogan.
Let’s be honest:
CAT came & many Penangites have to emigrate to SP (Kedah) & mainland to make room for the rich + famous. Just ask Kee.
If Penang is made a FT, CAT has to emigrate (back to Melaka?).
We don’t have 9-lives to x-periment (any further) after what we have x-perimented with Niao Kong.
Let the majority Penangites (who cannot afford Cosmopolitan Penang Frenzied) decide the future.
No need for any donkey ride of drunken sensibilities & high-end worshipping.
Ku Nan, why not turn the whole Msia into a FT, then everyone will be better off? We can also save money on elections. This brainless chap has highlighted the fact denying Penang voters the right to vote for their govt is as evil a plan as denying KL voters the right the same right. so instead of turning Penang into yet another useless FT, pls give KLback to us. It will be good riddance to your useless ministry.
We won’t shelve cable car project, says Penang executive councillor
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/wont-shelve-cable-car-project-040525142.html
Still trying to play the blame game in order to push thro’ this cable car project?
Then don’t sing “Cleaner & Greener Penang” to hoodwink us Penangites.
We propose a more suitable job for you: Beijing Opera of One Thousand Face Change.
Pls be more responsible & brave (for UBAH) to be a good politician or councillor!
Dedak does not realise federal has even grander plan development like inter hills cable cars in store before losing out.
Don’t kill peace and tranquility for tourist dollars, says SAM https://sg.news.yahoo.com/dont-kill-peace-tranquility-tourist-083526552.html GEORGE TOWN: The proposed cable car linking Penang Hill, Botanical Gardens and Teluk Bahang should be scrapped at all costs, a leading environmental group says. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) objected to the proposal as it said the plan would have a devastating impact, resulting in a change in the hill’s atmosphere and surroundings. The cable car plan, estimated to cost RM325 million, will consist of a line linking the Penang Botanical Gardens and Penang Hill, and another line linking Teluk Bahang in the northwestern part of the island. SAM… Read more »