Penang awaits full report on fatal Paya Terubong landslide as probe continues

In the incident at 8.36am last Sunday, a 73-year-old doctor, Wong Kar Lin, was killed after being buried in a landslide that hit his home. — Bernama pic

First Published: Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 4:31 PM MYT

BATU KAWAN, Oct 29 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has submitted a draft technical report on the recent landslide at Taman Seri Permai, Paya Terubong, to the state government, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the report was still being followed up and reviewed before a detailed report on the incident could be finalised.

“Several possible causes of the incident have been identified for further investigation by the technical authorities, including weather conditions, surface runoff, drainage pipes and excessive soil load.

“However, we do not want to speculate. A detailed explanation should come from the engineers, and the state government is also still awaiting the full report from MBPP on the incident,” he told reporters after opening Estek Automation’s new factory here today.

In the incident at 8.36am last Sunday, a 73-year-old doctor, Wong Kar Lin, was killed after being buried in a landslide that hit his home.

Chow said matters related to technical planning would be handled by state Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye, while the welfare of affected residents would be coordinated by state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who is also the Paya Terubong assemblyman.

He said the developer had been in contact with the affected residents to assess their accommodation and welfare needs.

Commenting on calls for the state government to halt all development projects involving high-risk slopes, Chow said such a move could have legal implications as the developers had obtained the relevant approvals and commenced work.

He said project approvals were granted based on procedures and conditions stipulated by the relevant authorities and agencies, including technical agencies.

Meanwhile, Chow said the state government had directed all relevant agencies to remain on standby throughout the Northeast Monsoon (MTL), particularly in anticipation of possible flooding following heavy rain.

He said September to November was typically a period of high rainfall in Penang, and all agencies therefore needed to take appropriate action based on information received from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) whenever it rained.

The 2026/2027 MTL began on October 27 and will continue until March 2027. According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, three to five episodes of continuous heavy rain are expected from November this year to January 2027.

This could increase the risk of flooding, particularly in areas near rivers and low-lying areas, while strong winds could also cause rough seas and rising sea levels in the waters of the South China Sea. — Bernama