As reported in The Sun

'Over-development not to blame for floods'

Posted on 5 October 2014 - 05:21pm
Last updated on 5 October 2014 - 06:30pm

Edmund Lee and Imran Hilmy
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN: The recent flash floods in the state were not caused by over-development, as claimed by certain quarters.

Refuting these claims, Wong Hon Wai, the political-secretary to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, said it was unfair to put the state in the spotlight for the floods which hit parts of George Town last Friday.

"It is completely untrue that excessive development caused the floods," he said in a statement today.

He also hit back at the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration by recalling flash floods which occurred at Jalan Thean Teik, Air Itam, in the 1990s.

Wong's response comes after state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow had said over-development and excessive hill cutting was the cause of flooding in several parts of rhe island, especially during the monsoon season.

Meanwhile, at Elsiedale Estate in Mount Erskine, residents were crying foul and blamed the extensive development of several condominium blocks nearby as one of the causes of the area being inundated with water.

"We managed to save some belonging before the water slowly entered our house," said Teoh Guik Chu, 63, a resident.

Agreeing with her was her neighbour Goh Chin Wah,40, who said the development has caused unstable geographical landscape near their houses.
He urged the developer to pay for the damage and losses suffered by the residents in the area.

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari, who was present with Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng, distributed RM250 financial aid to affected residents in the area.