Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) strongly opposes any review of the present policy in the 2030 Penang Structure Plan, which prohibits any development on hillslopes above 76m or above a 25-degree slope gradient.
We are very troubled to learn that the state is mulling changes to this policy in preparation for the 2040 structure plan by allowing a relaxation of this rule to allow hillslope developments above the 76m limit.
This would be a grave folly and mistake if such a reversal of policy takes place, especially in this day and age of rising climate change impacts.
The current policy is in place precisely due to experiences of landslides and slope failures, which have happened in the past. These have claimed lives and damaged homes and properties in Penang.
The Penang state government and the local government must enhance climate resilience and prepare for increasing climate change impacts by retaining and strengthening the policy of limiting hill-slope development, instead of weakening it.
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The recent events in Hat Yai in Thailand and Aceh in Sumatra show clearly the losses and damages due to heavy and intense rains, which are becoming more and more frequent and grave.
Malaysia also has not been spared, and instead of increasing our climate resilience, we seem to be decreasing our resilience by reversing the good and sound policy on hillslope development.
The Penang state government must put the safety of the public and the environment ahead of pressures from mighty developers who put profits ahead.
SAM will provide our feedback to the ongoing publicity of the report of survey for the 2040 structure plan. We will also work with other civil society groups to raise awareness among the people of Penang to mount opposition to the proposed changes being mulled by the state government.
We reiterate our call to the Penang state government not to reverse the current policy on limiting hillslope development. – SAM
Meenakshi Raman is the president of Sahabat Alam Malaysia.
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