Advisory panel's neutrality questioned

By KOW KWAN YEE
kowky@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: A Penang municipal councillor has questioned the independence of the advisory panel that helped the state government to study and modify guidelines for hillside projects.

Dr Lim Mah Hui wanted to know how the state government could ensure the panel's neutrality when developers were allegedly the "major paymasters of the whole scenario".

He asked this during a 30-minute Q & A session at a talk titled 'Hill Site Development — Challenges and a Way Forward' organised by the International Real-Estate Federation Penang branch.

The speaker at the talk was Penang hillside geo-technical advisory panel chairman Prof Dr Gue See Sew.

Dr Gue, who is an Oxford-trained geo-technical engineer, was asked to explain the out-of-control hillslope housing development in the state.

Dr Lim said Dr Gue's technical explanations that hillslope development could be safe for housing projects, could become the "passports" for developers to cut hills.

"We should look into environmental and cultural sustainability. Are we going to turn our hills into concrete jungles although it is technically possible to do so?" asked Dr Lim.

Some representatives from non-governmental organisations, who echoed similar views, said Penang was well-known for its hills and strict regulations should be enforced to monitor the projects.

However, those who supported building houses on hillslopes felt that progressive development due to the growing population was a rea-lity.

Earlier, Dr Gue said sustainable hillslope development was possible as long as there were high professional standards and integrity.

He said the 76m height above sea level ruling was not relevant to be included as a requirement for the council for development, adding that slope gradient mattered the most.

"For example, a piece of land 200m above sea level with only a slope gradient of over 25 degrees is considered a gentle slope that is safe for development.

"However, a hill site located only 40m above sea level with a slope gradient of more than 30 degrees needs extra safety measures," he said.