Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Penang awaits probe completion before inquiry decision on deadly landslide
The Penang state government will hold off on establishing a State Commission of Inquiry into the fatal Paya Terubong landslide until authorities complete their initial investigation. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision on whether to convene an SCI will depend on findings from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
LSN Malaysia ·
GEORGE TOWN — Penang's leadership has signalled it will await the completion of a departmental probe before determining whether to launch a formal State Commission of Inquiry into the Paya Terubong landslide that claimed lives in the state capital.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow indicated that the Department of Occupational Safety and Health must conclude its investigation first, with the government's next steps contingent upon those findings. The cautious approach reflects efforts to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident before committing to a full-scale public inquiry.
The deadly landslide has drawn significant public attention and questions about soil stability and development practices in the hillside area. Officials have pledged to examine all contributing factors to prevent similar tragedies.
The state government's decision-making timeline remains unclear, though authorities have indicated they will provide updates as the DOSH investigation progresses. Any subsequent commission of inquiry would represent a more formal and expansive examination of the disaster's causes and circumstances.