Press Statement by MCA Publicity Spokesman (English/Bahasa Malaysia) cum MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Dato’ Sri Ti Lian Ker

DAP-led Penang state government must respect Tanjung Bungah residents' demand for answers

The DAP-led Penang state government must accept responsibility for the tragedy that has claimed 7 victims so far due to a landslide in Tanjung Bungah and abide by the laws.

It was widely known that the Penang government was warned repeatedly by BN leaders and even residents from Tanjung Bungah to put an end to hillside developments but it only fell on deaf ears.

This has led to a tragedy of massive proportions in which almost 16 people were reported to have been buried in the landslide. The Penang state government must acknowledge their weakness in their governance that has seen them prioritising monetary gains through rapid development.

I call on the state government to review all other high rise building and developments approved for and under construction and ensure that they are safe to avoid from a similar occurrence.

The Penang state government must respect that mother nature has a grim way of showing you that you have gone overboard with development and authorities should note that similar developments should have stop to ensure that the Highland Towers incident will not repeat.

I would like to state my deepest sympathy to the victims, their families and all that have been affected by this regrettable tragedy. These sort of tragedies could and should have been avoidable. I hope something is done to ensure this doesn't happen again.

It is not enough to just call an official inquiry. In fact the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should have been mindful of the danger of massive hillside development and listen to the protest of locals and environmentalists. Sadly instead of listening the Chief Minster’s attitude was one of arrogance and dismissive to the extent of ignoring his own local State Assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu.

To call for an official inquiry into this tragedy after the event is not enough. Any inquiry called yet not be to bring a closure to the issues here or to whitewash breach of duties. Justice and respect must be given to the victims and residents of Tanjung Bungah. There must be an independent inquiry and calls for a RCI should be heeded whereby the negligence, disregard and abuses by all culprits must be taken to task and penalised in accordance to the laws.

 
Dato’ Sri Ti Lian Ker
MCA Publicity Spokesman (BM/English)
Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman

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