Penang’s latest ‘tourist attraction’: The Dark Alley of Paya Terubong

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This could be a tourist draw. An alley that is always dark, what more at dusk. Except that residents of the older flats facing the new condo blocks that tower over them are not impressed.

What does this say about setback requirements and permissible density? Notice how the top of the new podium block juts out even closer to the old block of flats.

The result: an almost perpetually dark and eerie alley.

Not only do the towers darken the alley, they also block rhe air flow to the flats. 

The residents also claim that the drainage along the road at the base of the slope has not been improved. So this results in mudflows along the alley when it rains heavily, they say.

Now, even if JPS is responsible for the drainage, at what stage of the planning approval process do they review the drainage requirements? Or are they out of the picture?

Look at the slope stabilisation work. Does that inspire confidence?

How did this sort of thing get planning approval?

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tunglang

Falling crane hook kills woman in Bukit Bintang
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/353622
Bring the whole bunch of the greedy, irresponsibles (including those who approve the project) to court & jail them for life.

David Loman

Look on the bright side of the ‘darkness’.
Shady without direct afternoon hot sun rays means your walls are not heated up, so no need for air-cond in the evening. Save electricity.

tunglang

Geo Valley opposite & facing the Hokkien Cemetery along Jalan Paya Terubong. Near to Hoo Thau Bee Hoon stall. Immediately at the back facade of once serene & green hills is the carnage & raping of Bukit Kukus. That’s where another feared Highland Tower tragedy is in the making based on geological & drainage investigation by concerned parties. Now, who give a … damn of trust to this Greener & Cleaner (of corruptions) Penang mantra of Komtar Tower of Delusions. As a precaution: If anyone happens to see a sudden rush of ‘grey’ crowd from the cemetery towards this site… Read more »

tunglang

When there are more land development controversies, more contentions & more environmental disasters-in-the-making – these a making of a state gomen that claims CAT as a daily holy-mantra, it speaks volume of the type of gomen working for the people or for a personality-political ego? Never in the history of Penang state gomen has such numerous confrontations between sensible Penangites & an arrogant state gomen been witnessed. We are definitely living in dangerous & unsafe time, esp. for those affected by unsavoury development in their backyards. Surely ordinary Penangites have no army of lawyers, no legislations of a chameleon (changes… Read more »

Uriah

You certainly have issues to bring out but the way you write really put off people.
Please keep you points simple. Your English is too complicated.
No need to be sarcastic, as you lack sense of humour.

zoro

tun lang only barks ar CAT. he only grumble as old granny and hardly any suggestions. he complains about environment but drive around in heritage zone in 4w drive with monkey bars in front as if a city jungle. he enjoys smooth and uninterrupt drive using highway to his hideout in belum valley but oppose highway in in backyard but in others better. of course most enjoy marketing in malls but condemn building development. like dicapro believer of global warming but fly from NY to LA 5 times in 7 days of course. he is good mate of mdb

tunglang

Great at attacking personality like your mentor arrogant politician traders!
But tis the unsavoury job of a Komtar Dedak Troll 2-in-1 zoro + umno dedak tastes good.
Can blame such minion…
Even dare not take up my free trip to meet the bunians, who love to teach lessons to haughty jokers.
Are you still a Kay Bo Piao?

David Loman

Nyan Cat Merdeka for all, to curb catphobia.

tunglang

I am bored to near-death-experience by a etiquette headmistress type comment! My Gunung Ledang (Johor) bunian friend just asked me why your Penang world is so boring, stiff, unimaginative & too apologetic to politicians compared to SingLand’s Phua Chu Kang. I said: Your world is very near to that down-under SingLand’s comedian to tune to. Also, Penang Island for the richie & famous has almost lost a sense of humour to the point of overtly apologetic to arrogant politicians no thanks to Cosmopolitan Frenzies ala SingLand which also ‘gentrified’ some human behaviour to the point of stiff & boring etiquette!… Read more »

zoro

see why tun lang keep … as to why gelakan gomen bring the road touching the balony. why pf buat bodoh. why no footpath and cycle lane? no wonder people drive. pf trams will not save congestion

tunglang

If ever any hill slope disaster occurs in the future at Bukit Kukus, those irresponsible political traders, MBPP & esp. those EXCO members in charge of Land Affairs and Land Development for the state and that Chairman of the State Planning Committee will NEVER get off scot-free. Not ever as far away as Melaka, the laws of the land will deal with these irresponsibles. Karma is watching closely these irresponsibles, including those who support such arrogant recalcitrants in the state gomen which claims CAT as their snake-oil soothing remedies in times of controversies with NGOs & Penangites. Dangerous & unsafe… Read more »

Vivica 118

Concrete Development of Penang island may bring handsome revenues to state government, and the majority of islanders dont give a damm as too engrossed with work to earn livings.

tunglang

You don’t give a damn, wrong???
When another Highland Towers happens in Taman Lau Geok Swee, you will still not give a damn.
Such horrendous soul in our midst.

Lim Kah Cheng

What does it take to stop such abuse of power at the expense of people? Penang lang, wake up. Speak up.

tunglang

Penang opens tender for 600 low cost housing units, development expected to be completed in phases over a 10-year period from the start of the project. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/penang-opens-tender-600-low-cost-housing-units-053200383.html MY GOD! When a swap deal to run a road on developer’s land can easily approved much higher density condos resulting in more than 500 units of expensive units of 2 blocks of condos built in less than 3 yrs, what is this paltry 600 units for Penangites who are projected to increase in population in less than 10 yrs ‘prophesied’ by engaged experts paid handsomely by Komtar regime? If want to emulate… Read more »

Vivica 118

Gerakan should consult you for tips to counter LGE during GE14. However, Gerakan has proven they only care of their positions to continue fighting for power and neglecting suffering Penangites.

zoro

how much flat and cheap land gelakan giveaway. now tun lang bising because he has to carry his 4w drive. like petronas also report drop in earnings

tunglang

No thanks for your suggestion just to score points of ‘you are with the enemy’ perception.
Pls try harder. Training available at Komtar Tower of Arrogance.

David Loman

Nades on Open Tender in Malaysia: It is no secret that the key in winning government contracts is not the know-how but it is the “know-who”.
http://www.thesundaily.my/node/389777

tunglang

Begitu lah CAT Principles! : You must know who.
Jadi, dah UBAH apa selama 8 tahun?
Seringkasnya sama-sama dengan siapa-siapa yang dikorek kuat-kuat oleh Tokong!
Note: The above expression is based on a supporter’s admission of an open secret.

zoro

pf trying to pull a fast. they are just another pasar trader. unlike tun lang he makes din without basis
the old flat does not have setback. anil and tun lang has to walk on the road as there is no footpath and will.get hit by cars..no choice become toms and peep into the houses to use the corridor. what a pg thinkcity arch tun lang is telling us.
pf is very unprofessional just trying draw crowds without scutiny.

tunglang

Pls work harder as knee-jerk of a Jerk troll as your Komtar Dedak supply may come to an end.
All your sneers of thinkcity shows what a clueless commenter with no substance but … senses & sentences.
Go pay a visit to ThinkCity to know what it stands for.

zoro

Everyone can see the photo produced here by pg forum. Photo can’t tell a lie but you can. See pg architect layout a road side by side to a balcony. Tun lang can just climb into the building from his 4w drive without going through the staircase. Tun lang Blind and so obsessed over CAT? This flat is under DAP Gomen? Poor people living in fear over intruders. This flat built under Gelakan Gomen but pg forum dares to make noise because they only can be sued. Under Gelakan, amno will put pg forum to eat curry rice and r… Read more »

zoro

Another blind worshipper. Admit yourself. We are all humankind.

tunglang

I don’t pray to Komtar Deity. Why should I be blind?
It’s you & minions that are ‘blind’ to the extend of thinking, speaking & acting like your Venerable Idol.
Thank God I don’t worship such Idol to waste life hoping for a 9-life extension!

zoro

lucky fellows. with new condos the value of the property shoot up pretty fast. karma says one cannot have everything in this world. the yang and the ying win some lose some.

gk ong

The demand for property as an investment instrument will always be there as the return is more guaranteed compared to stocks and bonds. So developers will continue to build to feed the demand, now that BNM has reduced OPR.

zoro

why pf and tun lang dont blame and make noise at bn gomen for drop in rm and better to invest in property? pg cant sent them to kumumting resort to eat curry but bn can. that is why the mouse play hard at the CAT

David Loman

Not everyone can qualify for Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) that guarantees at least 8% return. No thanks to the new Pek Moh of BNM lowering interest rate, now FD only gives you 3.5%. So many would buy properties as the rental yield can be used to service the home loan, while hoping for appreciation in the property value. Penang Lang are likely to invest this way to ensure comfortable retirement as Ringgit will continue to fall in value while inflation will continue to erode your savings. With such demand for properties comes more housing projects.

tunglang

Dr. Ti Lian Geh said: “We have only ONE life. So, protect it well.” Watch video at 14:12 We are all humans with one precious life unlike these Arrogant & Money-Faced CATs at Komtar Tower who believe they have 9 lives to play-play with us Penangites as pawns of slippery development. May I suggest these CATs buy up the ‘front-line’ to imminent disaster properties in Tmn Lau Geok Swee to prepare for a one-life swap with disaster in the making? Just relocate from safe & serene Jalan Pinhorn. Dare or Not??? Since when swap-deals including this one life for development… Read more »

David Loman

9 Lives

tunglang

If you care to take a little bit of your time to watch the video, you will see why I call this development the most recalcitrant of all land development in Penang. Multiple mudslides, flooding, illegal rock blasting damaging nearby properties, resident objections & court cases, 3 stop work orders & press conferences. And the works of recalcitrance continues. More daring to break the law is the swap deal for a 0.8 km stretch of road building which passes on this developer’s land. And of course the inevitable increase in density rate for housing from 3-storey town houses to 41-47… Read more »

David Loman

Think City could consider organize a Fringe Festival here to lighten up the atmosphere?

tunglang

Go visit ThinkCity to know its corporate mission.

zoro

Everyone can see the photo produced here by pg forum. Photo can’t tell a lie but you can. See pg architect layout a road side by side to a balcony. Tun lang can just climb into the building from his 4w drive without going through the staircase. Tun lang Blind and so obsessed over CAT? This flat is under DAP Gomen? Poor people living in fear over intruders. This flat built under Gelakan Gomen but pg forum dares to make noise because they only can be sued. Under Gelakan, amno will put pg forum to eat curry rice and r… Read more »

tunglang

Narrow alley means more ‘tanah’ for cement development = more quit rent & assessment rate collections!
This Niao Kong is very clever at (bean counting) the expense of Penangites’ safety & well being.
Future perimeter setbacks may be in for a revision (to 10ft?) as did the increased density for housing.
More $$$$$$$$ from such CAT Alley revision, better image of CAT’s future accounting balance sheet.
Jabatan Bomba, what have you to say?

Johan Khun Pana

Not familiar with cement and town council rate assessment.
But i can try to answer the “Bomba” Fire & Rescue question.
In Bangkok city , we have this mini fire engines specially to deal with narrow ‘soi” / lane.
It is a beach buggy equipped with all the fire & rescue needs.
Only problem is, it is a left hand drive vehicle which cannot be approve for use.
And nobody want to answer the blunder made.
Therefore, we can have the same for Malaysia.
Isn’t that great?

tunglang

FYI, Bomba insists a clear passage (no obstructions) in the 6-8ft wide corridors of flats & apartments.
I have seen those beefy firemen rushing in the corridor of my apartment carrying water pipe line, axes & tools. You can’t stand a chance if you are caught in their way!
What more for the above pic of an alley of no more than 10ft wide.
When there is a fire, firemen don’t gingerly drive or walk like cat walk to the scene of emergency.
CAT Walk of narrow passage is bad for access to emergency like fire!

zoro

Someone is on fire. Burning mad at melting point. But all without smoke.

zoro

Old flat and road was approved and built under gelakan. So who gets the$$$$? Very happy then, but like menopause change mood.

tunglang

There goes the blame game of the arrogance parroted by a … surviving on Komtar Dedak!!!
How pathetic!

tunglang

You got one (menopause)?
I thought you were a MAN!
Must telepathise my Bunian kawan-kawan.
FYI, Bunians treat their women folks better than us humans.

zoro

Why pg lang don’t think? Edison did wonders for mankind about 100 years ago and we want to live like cavemen? Now we have energy saving light. If dont like then use disco light or red light.

tunglang

Why not buy a property in this disaster-in-the-making?
Your Dedak Komtar Gomen can help you since your trolling service is par excellence!
I can also chip in a free reservation (ash urn slot) for you @ the nearby Penang Hokkien Cemetery Collaborium plus 49 days Taoist prayers for your peace of mind in the afterlife.
Willing or Not???
Btw, how come BN dedak tastes good troller is so quiet?

zoro

who wants to… force you to buy. maybe you have a … mind. you said pg arch can come up with good design like thinkcity.

tunglang

With just a comment, I truly triggered the BN dedak tastes good troller.
My hunch was right spot on! – the 2-in-1 troll feeding on Komtar Dedak!

Johan Khun Pana

Should not be an issue.
In Thailand nearly all the back ” soi ” are as narrow as this.
And we Malaysians love to go there.
* The building is erected and it is not going to go away.
Think positive and make that lane alive.
If we can’t think positive, how are we Malaysians going to kick out that MO1?

tunglang

Have you seen the video? Have you seen the actual mud flow on rainy days & the overworked (overflowed) retention pond in situ? Have you seen the dangerous slopes & the exposed huge boulders (which are many all along Bukit Kukus)? Have you seen the 2 new very slim blocks of 30+ storeys sitting at the edge below which are residential houses? Have you seen increased wai lao in the vicinity that gives no sense of communal safety? Finally, will you consider buying a property from the residents of Taman Lao Geok Swee (the front line to Highland Towers disaster-in-the-making)?… Read more »

zoro

no one ask you to buy. … willing buyer and seller.or you force your customers to buy ftom hou? i complain to csp. cap is near your house and business address

tunglang

Why not complain to Venerable Niao Kong & Team?
What a fragile ego like your political trader masters!

tunglang

Dark places attract ‘Ying’ energy. Esp. more so if the air is still with little flow of fresh air (yang energy). Looking at the pic, the front doors (esp those at ground floor) of the older flats are most likely in a bad fengshui. Don’t believe? Try using a compass to walk the corridors. Any sudden or wild swing of the North facing compass needle indicates ‘Ying’ energy presence. ‘Ying’ energy can be any of these: ghosts, spirits, demons, jinns, goblins, portals, even datuk kong. The developer of the new block is most likely already cursed by the older flat… Read more »

zoro

No, why not you say is the tokong! You adore or hate so much. So much for your genius go and tell gelakan why not more than 50 ft set back for 60 storey komtar. You are a judge and all say is WRONG

tunglang

Pls go to Komtar & measure setback from the side of the Tower.
Don’t simply spew fiction of unimaginative proportion.

james k

Which project is this? Which part of paya terubong?