GEORGE TOWN: Locals and visitors to the famed Batu Ferringhi beach have expressed concern that it may disappear due to aggressive erosion.
Water sports operator K. Loganathan, 39, said the local authorities had implemented mitigating measures, such as placing large boulders to stop the erosion.
"Recently, when the weather turned bad, part of the boulders were swept away and some ended up on the shores. If left unattended, the shores will soon be filled with boulders. This is a danger to visitors who frequent the beach.
"Water sports operators have been monitoring the shores, to ensure visitors' safety and to check on the boulders," he said when met today.
In February, it was reported that the 10m-high viewing tower, manned by the Civil Defence Force, collapsed.
Checks today showed that the beach front was no longer suitable to receive visitors. The management of hotels in the vicinity had placed signs to warn visitors of the situation.
Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) education officer N.V. Subbarow said there had been complaints about the erosion since two years ago.
He said the width of the erosion, which initially measured 20m, had widened to a 5km stretch along the shores.
"There are trees at the site of the erosion, waiting to collapse, threatening the safety of visitors. The authorities concerned need to take more effective measures to resolve the matter," he said.