We Penangites are very frustrated and fed up with the political gimmicks. What really matters now is not who is responsible but what has been done to save the remaining hills.

Monday July 9, 2012

Penangites want authorities to focus on preserving the hills

PETALING JAYA: Readers of The Star have voiced out their concerns over the deterioration of the hills in Penang, with many calling on politicians to stop the "blame game" and focus on preserving the state's natural heritage.

Rexy Prakash Chacko, who is from Glugor on the island, questioned the efforts taken to save the hills since the daily first shed light on the issue almost a month ago.

"As the politicians continue trading barbs over who is responsible, unscrupulous development in the hills continues unabated.

"We Penangites are very frustrated and fed up with the political gimmicks. What really matters now is not who is responsible but what has been done to save the remaining hills.

At nature's expense: Paya Terubong, located to the east of the centre of Penang island, is not spared of hillslope development.

"Let me remind the politicians: the hills of Penang do not belong to the ruling party or to the Opposition. They belong to all of us collectively and thus, we have to speak up with a united voice against anything endangering them," he wrote.

Rexy said there should be engagement with environmental bodies on ways to make development sustainable or a forum to discuss how locals wanted development to proceed on the island.

"Our hills have suffered enough. It is time that we unite to protect the last vestiges of our natural heritage," he wrote.

Other readers sent in their SMSes, highlighting their concerns about the hills.

"Bald hills indeed, how can P'ng (Penang) continue to say 'Green Clean' any more!" said a reader in an SMS.

"When we can have forest reserves, why not also have hill reserves as well so as to lessen the chances of wanton destruction of our hills all over the country?" another reader suggested.

Yet another reader thanked The Star for the report.

"Thank you The Star, once again to highlight the destruction of the Penang hills.

"The public wants to be heard loud and clear," read the SMS.