Residents of four affected homes in Paya Terubong still not allowed to return home as DOSH awaits mitigation plan

The residents of four houses affected by the fatal landslide in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, have yet to be allowed to return home, state Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said today. — Bernama pic

By Opalyn Mok

First Published: Tuesday, 10 Nov 2026 1:28 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 10 — The residents of four houses affected by the fatal landslide in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, have yet to be allowed to return home, state Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said today.

He said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is still waiting for the developer’s civil engineer, Aptitute Consulting Engineers Sdn Bhd, to submit full documentations and a formal application to carry out mitigation and repair works at the collapsed slope.

“The documents and application are expected to be submitted to DOSH tomorrow for its consideration,” he told a press conference today.

He said the developer’s consultants, including its geotechnical and civil engineers, were asked to submit a mitigation plan and an application to DOSH after meeting with the organisation.

“Only then can DOSH issue approval to the developer to carry out the mitigation works. For the time being, the residents of four units are still not allowed to return to their homes,” he said.

He said DOSH had requested a landslide report from the developer’s geotechnical engineer, WYA Consulting Engineers Sdn Bhd, and the company had submitted the report on November 5.

“For the time being, the residents of four units are still not allowed to return to their homes,” he added.

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had previously declared four houses — numbered 1, 3, 5 and 7 — unsafe for occupation, while two others, numbered 9 and 11, were cleared for reoccupation.

In the October 25 landslide, 73-year-old doctor Wong Kar Lin was killed after he was buried in the landslide, which also affected his home.

His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, who is in her 80s, managed to escape.

H’ng had previously said the state would focus on DOSH’s investigation before discussing calls by non-governmental organisations for a state commission of inquiry into the tragedy.