GEORGE TOWN: Nearly 2,000 residents of the Grandview Heights and Bukit Saujana flats in Paya Terubong here feared for their safety following several cases of rock falls from the Lorong Bukit Kukus slope, fronting their homes.
Three were reported in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Fortunately, no one was injured when it happened.
Vehicles parked on both sides of the road were also spared from any damages.
Following that, the Penang government has set aside nearly RM8 million to repair the Lorong Bukit Kukus slope to prevent from possible disasters in the future.
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said works were expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) tasked to do the work.
He said the overall works would involve about 3.35 hectares.
"The state government has taken the necessary temporary preventive measures to ensure the stability of the slope. Since last year, we have put up barriers and nettings in the slope to prevent any rock fall.
"In the third quarter of this year, we will carry out repair works on the Lorong Bukit Kukus slope, which is expected to be completed in 18 months.
"It will involve works such as rock bolting, soil nailing, installation of flexible rockfall barriers, installation of rockfall netting, drainage and road resourcing," he told newsmen during a visit to the Lorong Bukit Kukus slope here this afternoon.
He was accompanied by Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Zairil also said the state government had instructed the local authorities to monitor the slopes from time to time and take actions against land owners who carried out works without the necessary approval.
"We find that these land owners are carrying out agriculture works, especially at Bukit Bendera and Balik Pulau, without getting approval.
"We call on these farmers, who have been carrying out agriculture activities for generations, to reach out to the local authorities by June this year to register themselves to legalise their activities," he added.
By doing so, Zairil said, the council could monitor their activities to ensure that they adhered to stipulated guidelines.