GEORGE TOWN, Nov 17 ― The state government approved a total of 56 projects on slopes with gradients above 25 degrees or above 250 feet high, said state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow.

The local government, traffic management and flood mitigation committee chairman said the Penang Island City Council approved those projects between 2008 and now.

Other than the approved hill slope projects, Chow said there were also 68 illegal hill clearings recorded in the same period.

“The city council had issued stop work orders to the landowners of the illegal projects and the landowners were also required to come up with land mitigation plans along with strengthening the slopes,” he said.

The landowners must immediately cover up the slopes with geotextile fabric as well as plant grass on the slopes.

The landowners will also face action under Section 70A of the Road, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).

Chow was replying to a verbal question by Dr T. Jayabalan (Batu Uban ― PKR), who asked for a list of hill slope projects that were approved, the number of illegal hill slope projects and the actions taken against illegal hill clearing.

According to Chow, approved projects include mixed development and residential schemes in Paya Terubong, Tanjung Bungah, Balik Pulau, Batu Ferringhi and Bayan Lepas by development rd such as Sunway City (Penang) Sdn Bhd, Ivory Villas, Setia Promenade, Farlim Group and JKP Sdn Bhd.

Amongst the projects approved are multi blocks of high rise condominiums, bungalow units and terrace houses.

The land that was illegally cleared since 2008 was mostly zoned as hill land except for a few that were zoned as state park, general housing land and agricultural land.