Lost Paradise Resort landslide underscores fragility of hill slopes

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Landslide hazard map of Penang Island - Journal of Civil Engineering Research, USM, 2014

Check out this map of Penang Island (above) that they don’t want you to see, which I published here some time ago. See how landslide-prone the hills of Penang are. Imagine, they are itching to build highways and mega highways on that kind of terrain.

It is not that difficult to predict which areas of Penang Island are most prone to landslides with a high degree of accuracy (almost 80%). The research has been done.

Colour code:
Red – Highly hazardous areas
Green – Hazardous
Blue – Moderately hazardous
White – Not hazardous

This map of Penang Island was published in a paper titled “Landslide Hazard Mapping of Penang Island Using Poisson Distribution with Dominant Factors” written by Lea Tien Tay, Mutasem Sh. Alkhasawneh, Habibah Lateh, Md Kamrul Hossain, and Anton Abdulbasah Kamil from USM’s Engineering Campus and its School of Distance Education. The paper was published in the Journal of Civil Engineering Research in 2014.

Not convinced? This is another scary map they don’t want you to see from a different source. This comes from a journal paper by Sara Khodad and Dong-Ho Jang of the Geography department, Kongju National University published in the Journal of the Korean Geomorphological Assocation (Vol 22 No 1, 2015, pp109-121). The study was titled “Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Penang Island, Malaysia – using the AHP and OLS methods”:

And this is the latest statement by Penang Forum:

Penang Forum deeply regrets the tragic loss of four lives in the 25 June 2019 landslide at the Lost Paradise Resort, Tanjung Bungah.

In a span of less two years, Penang Island has seen three deadly landslide incidents -the 21 October 2017 Granito landslide, the 19 October 2018 Bukit Kukus landslide, and now this.

A total of 24 lives have been lost as a result of these three tragedies. These tragedies highlight the fragility of slopes in Penang and the extreme caution that needs to be taken when dealing with them.

We note that the land works done at the site of this landslide are illegal as the landowner conducted work without obtaining a proper permit.

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) in its response says that it has a team to monitor illegal construction work, but in this case “the construction work was on a slope below the road and hidden” and thus not noticeable.

This would mean that despite MBPP having a team to detect such illegal construction cases, the council was unable to detect this case which went ‘off the radar’ as a result of its obscure location.

This forces us to ask, how many more illegal construction works are in progress on slopes around the state and does the MBPP have sufficient monitoring and enforcement capacity to detect these cases and act on them?

More public awareness needed

This latest landslide incident again highlights the need for more public awareness of slope safety and the need for landowners to know their responsibilities in maintaining slopes as well as alerting the authorities when tell-tale signs of slope instability and erosion appear.

In this Lost Paradise Resort landslide case, the landowner reportedly was aware of erosion on the slope but he addressed this by conducting land works to build a retention wall on his own, without obtaining a prior permit from MBPP.

However, the slope is located at the brink of the main road leading from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi, which is under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (JKR). JKR has found that it was the construction work that resulted in the slope giving way and causing the landslide.

It is imperative in the aftermath of this landslide, that the Penang state government makes it clear to landowners the responsibilities they have as ‘slope owners’ and the right channels which need to be used in order to report cases of erosion and slope instability.

Investigations, monitoring and enforcement also needed

We urge the state to launch thorough investigations into the 25 June landslide tragedy and to identify those who might be charged with negligence. We urge the authorities to call for explanations, open up records and impose the maximum penalties as a deterrent to prevent such needless loss of lives.

There is a need for more comprehensive monitoring and enforcement, especially in identifying such cases of illegal construction on slopes. Tougher laws and penalties are needed to punish errant land owners who flout the law so that such incidents are never repeated.

It bears reiteration that this latest incident exposes the dangers of development on slopes, especially when cut – regardless whether legal or illegal.READ MORE:  CAP, SAM alarmed over proposal for hotels on Penang Hill

We call upon the state to review its policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures in relation to hillside development.

A moratorium on all slope development and highway projects over the hills should be imposed, until such a time when the state has a done a comprehensive check on all hill slopes, taken remedial actions and completed hill slope rehabilitation.

Penang Forum steering committee

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Bunny Ducky
Bunny Ducky
28 Jun 2019 1.02pm

What do you or your supporters intend to do beyond writing about it in this blog?

Are you going to combine forces with the oppositions (assuming they are still active in Penang) and NGOs(aside from the Pensng Forum) to put pressure on the Chow Regime?

Buzzing Woody
Buzzing Woody
28 Jun 2019 3.30pm
Reply to  Bunny Ducky

Not sure what’s the KPI to measure the effectiveness AnilNetto.com to deliver its justice ultimatum.

there are aplenty of KBKB happenings that do not translate into actions to solve the environment all and safety issues.

Penang Forum is leveraging on Anilnetto.com to gain momentum for GE15?

If above is not relevant, then we are witnessing syiok sendiri Wayang only???

Wei
Wei
28 Jun 2019 5.59pm
Reply to  Bunny Ducky

hehe…they lost their pants the last time Tanjung Bungah Teh partnered PSM….maybe holding hands with Pas this time around… ?

Anfield
Anfield
29 Jun 2019 1.27pm
Reply to  Wei

PAS has revealed itself to be in its recently concluded Muktamar is that it is a party that has problems co-existing in a multiethnic and multifaith country like Malaysia.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/29/will-minorities-have-a-place-in-pas-malaysia/#KMxqIzkYh6b6quJW.99

V Ramesh
V Ramesh
30 Jun 2019 1.06pm
Reply to  Anfield

Vote for PAS and your children will study Bahasa Arab as second language, not your mother language!

PAS will stop development, no cinema for you just like in Kelantan!

Anfield
Anfield
30 Jun 2019 7.23pm
Reply to  V Ramesh

Malays are sending their children to study in SJK Cina to learn Mandarin, as reported in Astro AEC News:
https://youtu.be/O4-Xlk7tgH8

Don Anamalai
Don Anamalai
1 Jul 2019 5.17pm
Reply to  Anfield

Better to learn Mandarin than Arab language, for economic reasons. Those enlightened Malays know this, to enhance their children’s future job opportunity.

tunglang
1 Jul 2019 11.20pm
Reply to  Don Anamalai

Don. FYI, I personally witness Malay parents sending their kids to SRJK(C) & Chinese speaking tuition centres. And these Malay parents are from B40 or even less income group, not from the middle-class Malay aspiration of UMNO’s Khairi & Mahathir’s NEP creation. They send their kids by humble motorbikes, not flashy BMW. And I can see their future brighter than most Malays from national schools. May I wish these ‘enlightened’ Malay parents + their children the best.

Anfield
Anfield
7 Jul 2019 10.54am
Reply to  Don Anamalai

Even WWE Superstar/Hollywood action star John Cena also speaks Mandarin:
https://youtu.be/6UB0KWaIwhI

Ken Fong
Ken Fong
1 Jul 2019 9.00pm
Reply to  V Ramesh

I will vote for NGO or PAS rather than voting for the greedy, selfish, irresponsible and arrogant DXP …

Don Anamalai
Don Anamalai
1 Jul 2019 5.26pm
Reply to  Anfield

Islam does not allow the declaration of wealth as this would raise security concerns, says PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

PAS’ interpretation of Islam is questionable?

Anfield
Anfield
2 Jul 2019 12.08pm
Reply to  Don Anamalai

Islamic scholars have criticised PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim for citing a purported hadith, or sayings of Prophet Muhammad, to justify Opposition lawmakers’ refusal to declare their assets.

When contacted to verify whether such a hadith exists, Perlis Mufti Asri explained that the Prophet never expressed the sentiment that one must not declare their wealth to the public if granted so by God.

tunglang
7 Jul 2019 6.32pm
Reply to  Bunny Ducky

Worry for CM Chow Chow when there’s a KPI for something gone wrong environmentally. Be very worried!

tunglang
4 Jul 2019 9.22pm

PETITION UPDATE
The Fishermen’s Voices must be heard!
https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-of-malaysia-save-penang-reject-the-3-islands-reclamation/u/24782877

Salma Khoo
4 JUL 2019 —
We urge those individuals and organisations who support the Penang Rejects Reclamation petition to join us in the People’s Gathering on 11 July.

Peaceful Assembly: Reject the Penang South Reclamation
11 July 2019 (Thursday), early morning, Jalan Parlimen
Inshore fishermen from Penang and Perak, and civil society representatives will gather peacefully to articulate our objections towards the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR). We will submit our petition and memorandum to Tun Dr. Mahathir.

FB Page Penang Tolak Tambak
whatsapp 016 500 2507
#PenangTolakTambak! #SavePenang!

Shriek
5 Jul 2019 11.21am
Reply to  tunglang

Then more building on hillslopes. Peng land kia will employed chip chip Burmese CONTRACTOR to do the work on hillslopes?

Zhuang Shang
Zhuang Shang
5 Jul 2019 5.22pm
Reply to  tunglang

Sometimes also good to stop fishing for a while to replenish the fish stock. Otherwise got no fish to eat in the future.

tunglang
5 Jul 2019 11.59pm
Reply to  Zhuang Shang

When sea reclamation for the 3 islands is a done deal, can still get same fish supply in the future?
Don’t even think of replenish (if fishermen were to lose their jobs), for goodness sake!
Think clear logic, not knee-jerked hyperbole!

Shriek
6 Jul 2019 9.14pm
Reply to  tunglang

Tu Lang you always go there and buy fish from there? You eat fishes from there? You have the time in the world and can orso lim kopi and eat one ton mee. Why you no kbkb when agricultural lands are converted to industrial or housing result in loss of food and job. You no logic or brainer and goodness where the workers or planter to cari makan? Same with squatters. Squatters are cleared. They lost job as they have to relocate and change job.

Anfield
Anfield
3 Jul 2019 10.08am

Taiwan Expo 2019 will be held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre July 5 and 6, from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is free.
https://www.thesundaily.my/business/taiwan-expo-to-wow-penang-XK1048642
Go seek business opportunities or learn from the Taiwanese.

V Ramesh
V Ramesh
4 Jul 2019 2.24pm
Reply to  Anfield

Taiwanese are smart to invent bubble tea and sell it with great profit.

We should learn from them.
This Expo is a good place to do so.

Anfield
Anfield
2 Jul 2019 6.31pm

GEORGE TOWN, July 2 — State housing, local government, town and country planning committee exco Jagdeep Singh Deo today said that Penang will have 110,000 affordable housing units by 2025. He said a total of 30,000 units of affordable housing have been built since 2008. Jagdeep said about 25,000 units are now in various stages of construction while the state has approved a further 55,000 units to be built in the state. “We surpassed our target of 76,000 units of affordable housing which included low cost and low medium cost units,” he said in a press conference in his office… Read more »

Wei
Wei
3 Jul 2019 9.01am
Reply to  Anfield

hehe…great job…Penang is really haven for B40…but kpkb dude a la Tu lang will never satisfied..they first complaint no affordable house , then they complain price too high, later they complain location no good, after that they will complain facility no good, then……

V Ramesh
V Ramesh
4 Jul 2019 2.22pm
Reply to  Wei

GEORGE TOWN, July 4 — Penang state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo today said the state will proceed with its first urban regeneration project to demolish 50-year-old low-cost homes that are to be replaced with new apartments.

He said the five blocks, comprising 300 units on Jalan Mahsuri in Bayan Baru, will be torn down in stages and 1,150 units will be built in its place.

Shriek
4 Jul 2019 9.43pm
Reply to  V Ramesh

Tu Lang only god knows how to kbkb over development and building roads. Why no praises when they build sooooo many houses for B40. Maybe Tu Lang well off to receive goodies?

Zhuang Shang
Zhuang Shang
5 Jul 2019 5.20pm
Reply to  V Ramesh

Good you highlight this else most readers would think only expensive condominiums are built for the rich, since the author is somehow biased in this aspect.

The author of this blog will depend on readers like you to provide counter balance.
Nothing is balanced like the dacing of BN!

Anfield
Anfield
1 Jul 2019 4.04pm

The Penang Mega infrastructure project, which was awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC), is set to kick off in September this year following the certainty of funding.

Sources said Boon Siew Sdn Bhd, the privately held diversified group founded by the late Penang tycoon Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew, has acquired 22.92 acres of land from CZC at RM845 per square foot amounting to RM843.64mil.

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2019/07/01/boon-siew-group-in-mega-land-deal/#3wC5M0gISlBm4yUl.99

glissantia
glissantia
29 Jun 2019 12.59pm

The spin doctors are emphasising that the latest incident is not a landslide but a retaining wall collapse.

Our fine stable local climate arises from plentiful rain due to georaphical characteristics. This rain does not overwhelm us due to slopes being pervasive. This means we must preserve slopes (for agri. also) and not obstruct streams.

However, that is against the religion of “maximising” growth and profit. Ultimately, ordinary people cannot escape their responsibility: to obey and imitate the fascists, or to disengage and opt for a frugal lifestyle. Everyone will have to decide — soon.

Shriek
29 Jun 2019 2.44pm
Reply to  glissantia

That is why gomen wants to reclaim land. Reclaimed land very flat land, no land slide and NGOs and ah pek tu Lang can cycle from one island to the last, island hopping. But peng land NGOs everything orso cannot. Erosion which soil from hills are transport to sea. Fish habitant are invaded by hill soil. Right to put the hill soil to proper use by reclamation

Anfield
Anfield
1 Jul 2019 3.13pm
Reply to  Shriek

Who owns the reclaimed land in Penang?
In Johor, it is Sultanate land as in the case of Forest City.

Shriek
1 Jul 2019 7.20pm
Reply to  Anil Netto

Yes, now the land is under the sea. It is lost there. The gomen ask developer to resurrect and raise up the land from the sea. The developer pays for the work and peng land gets the land which are sold.

Anfield
Anfield
19 Jul 2019 4.05pm

See this China guy telling us his experience at the so-called new night market with street foid as recommended by his Grab driver:
https://youtu.be/wr7RdVodL8Q

Don Anamalai
Don Anamalai
5 Jul 2019 3.16pm

GEORGE TOWN, July 5 — Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) took the authorities to task for the haze enveloping Penang over the past two days.

Pointing to the deteriorating air quality which has also affected visibility, SAM president Meenakshi Raman called on both state and federal authorities to clear the air on the measures being taken.

Too many cars emitting hot exhaust is the culprit!

Anfield
Anfield
4 Jul 2019 1.18pm

Umno lost its propaganda paradise in TV3, after Syed Mokhtar had bought an 11.09% equity interest in Media Prima from Gabungan Kesturi Sdn Bhd?

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/04/anuar-musa-details-of-umno-asset-restructure-are-confidential/#P8Gjy63Gtc8CfSg0.99

tunglang
4 Jul 2019 9.47am

Think again if you want to (brainlessly) emulate HK for the sake of our younger generations:

Frustration of surviving pricey Hong Kong stirs protest anger
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2019/07/04/frustration-of-surviving-pricey-hong-kong-stirs-protest-anger/#47IRw331cDWdYbqT.99

Shriek
4 Jul 2019 6.50pm
Reply to  tunglang

Tu Lang, they made Beijing a scrap goat. They were under pommies for 100 years. They stay in big houses and apartment? They have caged beds but pommies turn a blind year. Chiba was under bamboo curtain and busy with great leap and cultural revolution. Under capitalism houses become very smaller. When SARs hit Hong land, business was very bad and Hong kees appeal to let Ah Chans to come in. Ah Chans know how to bring cash and no credit card or smart phone swipe. Before handover, everyone wanted to migrate to Canada but eventually many came back as… Read more »

Zhuang Shang
Zhuang Shang
5 Jul 2019 5.24pm
Reply to  tunglang

Hong Kong youth protest because they are now becoming “Ah Chan” in the eyes of mainland Chinese after the bridge has connected the island to the mainland. Shenzhen folks are better off than them now with better and bigger housing.

Wei
Wei
6 Jul 2019 12.13pm
Reply to  tunglang

fortunately Penangites have more brain then you do….don’t kpkb if you know nothing except gulping up what ever propaganda … that Commie throw at you like one ton in the one ton mee ….

Ken Fong
Ken Fong
1 Jul 2019 10.09pm

Anil, can you please suggest to Penang gov that the traffic jam along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway can be easily resolved by building two flyovers across Gat Lebuh Cecil and Gat Lebuh Macallum (bypassing the traffic lights). This will not cost much compared to PIL1 which will need several billions …

Shriek
2 Jul 2019 11.13am
Reply to  Ken Fong

Why not walk, bicycle or use boon siew kapcai? Why now you want developer party to build more road? Vote for PASs will build more religious items and NGOs plant more coconot trees to quench your thirst along the way if one walk? Now kbkb for more roads and better roads. Tell all school children to tell their parent not to use cars just like going to finger licking good or MacDonald’s.

BTS Mutiara
BTS Mutiara
2 Jul 2019 1.13pm
Reply to  Ken Fong

With elevation done less jam then I can go Cecil Street Market or Deen Maju to have meals with no traffic frustrations.
Ken Fong should lead the way to make this happened.
Now I cycle there to makan you can join me.

Wei
Wei
3 Jul 2019 8.52am
Reply to  Ken Fong

hehe…i thought the tree hugger said elevated structure destroy the look and view of George town…..now you kpkb about no flyover ?

Anfield
Anfield
3 Jul 2019 9.41am
Reply to  Ken Fong

Build dedicated bicycle lanes (safety) and encourage people to cycle for exercise and alleviate traffic congestion.

Shriek
4 Jul 2019 6.54pm
Reply to  Anfield

Mppp has build cycle lanes. Pg forum knows how to blame gomen but don’t blame bosses and workers. Boss make a shower room for workers. Those protest and kbkb please walk or go cycle to work.

tunglang
30 Jun 2019 11.14pm

Cowardice & Disgusting & Vandalising: Environmental activist’s house splashed with red paint Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/30/environmental-activist-house-splashed-with-red-paint/#wbtmbXgiVe66PXWk.99 BANTING: Environmental activist Pua Lay Peng is concerned about her family’s safety after her house was splashed with red paint on Wednesday (June 26). Pua, who was not home at the time, said her sister witnessed the incident. “My sister informed me that a blue car with tinted windows was parked outside the house for about 15 minutes. “A man in his 20s came out of the car, walked towards the house and splashed red paint at the front door. “There was another man… Read more »

Chizu
Chizu
29 Jun 2019 12.16pm

Well, we have to fill up those empty condo lots, r-i-g-h-t….? And for the many blocks to come once the new reclaimed lands are ready for state gomen planning.

Shriek
29 Jun 2019 2.31pm
Reply to  Chizu

Reclaim takes about 7 to 10 years. Then roads and utilities another few years. So it will be about 15 years. 15 years we will be using 7;or 8 G. Smart phone.

Anfield
Anfield
29 Jun 2019 3.47pm
Reply to  Chizu
Shriek
29 Jun 2019 7.10pm
Reply to  Anfield

Tu Lang and peng land kias will kbkb over peng land become little hong Kong. No 3. There is oredi one Hong Kong chai in Abedeen, Sandakan and now peng land. No more speaking minan but hongkongese.

Don Anamalai
Don Anamalai
1 Jul 2019 5.22pm
Reply to  Shriek

Already noticed many Cantonese speaking foreign Chinese in Penang. Likely to be from Hong Kong as they do no speak local Hokkien.

Hong Kong folks like that private exclusive and opulent property near E&O Hotel. That place had many Cantonese speaking Chinese congregating. My neighbour works there as a cleaner.

Anfield
Anfield
3 Jul 2019 9.49am
Reply to  Don Anamalai

Hong Kong investors snap up affordable property in Malaysia with an eye on retirement

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/hong-kong-investors-snap-affordable-property-malaysia-eye-retirement

Chizu
Chizu
29 Jun 2019 7.55pm
Reply to  Anfield

This article is what my comment is referring to.
Anil please refrain from posting my secondary comments if you choose to opt-out of my original posting. It will just make it look weird and out of context. Fyi this is not the first time it has happen.

Don Anamalai
Don Anamalai
1 Jul 2019 5.24pm
Reply to  Anil Netto

Do not approve comments that are rude and offensive. Freedom of speech has boundary, else we will get riot like in Hong Kong today.

Don Anamalai
Don Anamalai
1 Jul 2019 5.19pm
Reply to  Anfield

Better to have Hong Kong folks here than having cheap African workers.

Malaysia should focus on productivity improvement, instead of importing foreign workers, Bangladesh or African ones, to keep wages low.

tunglang
29 Jun 2019 12.00am

Already, a 5 days + nights rain can bring about soil erosions (too bad for Lost Paradise Resort whose owner decided to remedy it illegally) some of which MBPP couldn’t detect due to absurd excuse of ‘hidden from view’. What more ominous disasters to come when the rain ‘cries’ to welcome the Hungry Ghost Month. And the start of rainy season from October to November which makes the earth spirits shudder due to environment deterioration. Think of the hundreds of soil erosions & landslides since September 2017 still laid bare to the elements without remedial action taken. And yet, itchy… Read more »

Shriek
28 Jun 2019 8.49pm

Looking at anil’s map, it show about half if peng land is safe from hill slides. If NGOs kbkb over activities from hill slopes this means peng land have what other choice? Land reclamation! Yet this orso cannot. No wonder many peng land kia have to go and cari makan in sing land or hong land where one can reach the sky. No surprise one will not find Roger in Peng land soon as he can put better use elsewhere.
Further why no kbkb over peng land hill as danger zone?

Wei
Wei
28 Jun 2019 5.55pm

hehe…don’t lie, twist and bend to misinform the public, there is no landslide, there was only construction mishap as the authority rightfully put it… penang forum have difficulty getting fact right ?

Wei
Wei
28 Jun 2019 5.48pm

hehe…interestingly those map show that there will be landslide risk even in the area with little or no human intervention or activities….so it is very clear that over development cause landslide is cow dung…

Milk Tea
Milk Tea
28 Jun 2019 10.13pm
Reply to  Wei

You are as dumb as a rock. Why on earth do you have an intelligence of a peanut. Who approved the project?

Anfield
Anfield
29 Jun 2019 8.49am
Reply to  Milk Tea

Many projects are not approved ie. Illegal!
Plenty of such illegal resorts in Balik Pulau, employing/exploiting/harbouring illegal foreign workers.

Shriek
29 Jun 2019 10.18am
Reply to  Milk Tea

You orso dummo! Why peng land kias go and buy land on the hill slope? If you buy land , you want to make use of the land like you make use if your mouth to kbkb.

Anfield
Anfield
30 Jun 2019 7.25pm
Reply to  Milk Tea

Please refrain from personal attack, focus on the issue, not the commentator. Anil should be a referee here, no need VAR.

tunglang
1 Jul 2019 5.47am
Reply to  Anfield

The best is not to reply to irrelevant comments & those that childishly challenge imagined-accused-supporters & let them die off in sooner time.
Cheers! Drink Kopi-O kau kau kau!

V Ramesh
V Ramesh
4 Jul 2019 2.28pm
Reply to  tunglang

Why no food talk from you?

I thought you are the street food ambassador of Penang.

You should not feel sore over the Han Chiang 308 euphoria. Time to regroup your energy with food intake and commentary!

Shriek
4 Jul 2019 6.58pm
Reply to  V Ramesh

One ton mee too heavy. Maybe Tu Lang savy Taiwan food expo. Taiwan hokkien is sooo alien to peng land hokkien food. Taiwan has many siew jak.

Shriek
1 Jul 2019 11.05am
Reply to  Anfield

Tu Lang not angel too. In fact he is the silat master of calling others idiot, dude when he is unable to provide proper reply and resort to gutter and sewer words.

Ijoe
28 Jun 2019 2.36pm

Anyone who goes hiking in the hills can c landslides all over the place. More than years gone by. The mi… https://t.co/xEWw27dObK