After deadly Paya Terubong landslide, Chow says DOSH must finish probe first

The Penang state government will decide whether to set up a State Commission of Inquiry (SCI) into the Taman Seri Rambai landslide in Paya Terubong once the state DOSH completes its investigation. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 8:14 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 7 — The Penang state government will decide whether to set up a State Commission of Inquiry (SCI) into the Taman Seri Rambai landslide in Paya Terubong once the state Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) completes its investigation and submits its findings and recommendations.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government would await the findings of the DOSH investigation before considering further action over the incident, which claimed the life of a 73-year-old doctor.

He said he had yet to receive any updates on the progress of the investigation.

“DOSH is conducting its investigation and will provide recommendations (to the state government) once it is completed. A decision on whether to establish an SCI will only be made after that,” he told reporters after officiating at the Penang AI Future Makers Bootcamp 2026 at SEGi College Penang here today.

He was responding to calls from several quarters for the state government to establish an SCI to conduct an independent investigation into the Oct 25 landslide tragedy.

When asked whether residents affected by the landslide could return to their homes, Chow said the matter had yet to be determined as the area had not been declared safe.

Earlier, several state assemblymen and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had called for an independent investigation into the fatal landslide and demanded action against those responsible for the hillside development.

In the 8.36 am incident, Dr Wong Kar Lin was killed after being buried in a landslide that struck his home, while his wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, who is in her 80s, managed to escape. — Bernama