IF recent developments are anything to go by, things are not all rosy in the state of Penang.
In fact, the picture painted by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) shows damage being inflicted on the environment in the name of development.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) recently asked for the state government's assurance that proposed developments would not cause further damage to the environment and the people's lives.
The NGOs also called on the government to stop all projects on hill slopes, citing areas such as Sungai Ara and Tanjung Bungah.
They were reported to have said that Penang was becoming increasingly congested, with high-rise buildings and massive development projects popping up all over the island.
The voices of dissent concerning hill slope and hillside developments in Penang are not new.
In fact, the voices have been raised for quite some time -- one need only to read the papers to hear them.
In May, residents of Mount Pleasure in Batu Ferringhi had objected to the Penang Island Municipal Council's (MPPP's) approval of the construction of 21 four-storey villas and 80 double-storey bungalows.
To the south of the island, Sungai Ara residents protested against the council's approval of two hillside development projects on April 8.
The seriousness of the matter was clearly underlined when the outspoken MPPP councillor Dr Lim Mah Hui received a gag order on the topic of hill slope development.
It is learnt that Lim was instructed to refrain from speaking about hill slope developments whose cases were pending in the state Appeals Board.
While one voice may be easily silenced, the voices of the many affected residents may not -- and they are intent on making themselves heard.
You may wonder why they are making so much noise, but it is clear that when it comes to the environment, these residents will not take it lying down.
For the rest of us -- us meaning those not living in the affected areas -- the point has literally not yet hit home.
Kudos to those who have been courageous enough to speak out and make themselves heard.
They are proof that there is indeed strength in numbers.
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