Another botak hill in the making?

The Penang Municipality and the relevant authorities must investigate the on- going clearing of Bukit Kukus to avoid another 1997 landslide mishap.

UPDATED

GEORGE TOWN: DAPs Tanjung Bungah state representative Teh Yee Cheu called on the authorities to investigate the possible illegal hill land clearing in Paya Terubong, Air Itam.

During his visit to the area yesterday, Teh said he saw extensive land clearing being carried out atop Bukit Kukus, causing soil erosion to the nearby hilltop of Bukit Penara.

Bukit Kukus is located at least 1,200 feet above sea level.

Teh said he saw Bukit Kukus hilltop being flattened, trees being chopped down, cleared and thrown down the hill slope.

He has collected evidence, including photographs, to show that heavy earthwork vehicles, bulldozers and lorries without road tax and number plates that are being used to clear and transport soil from the hill out of the vicinity.

He cautioned of more soil erosion taking place during heavy rain.

Teh said that he had asked the local municipality, the MPPP, about a fortnight ago, about the matter and had tried to get more information but till today he has not received a response.

He urged the relevant authorities like MPPP, Departments of Environment, Drainage and Irrigation, Forestry and the Northeast District Land Office to probe into the matter soon as he believes the hill clearing was being done without proper approval.

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Another botak hill in the making?