GEORGE TOWN, June 23 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced today a special committee to check on hill slopes in the state has been formed.

The risk of landslides from ongoing development on the island state’s hilly terrain was recently highlighted by The Star daily in several news reports.

“We take these concerns seriously so we have formed a committee comprising of JKR, MBPP and the Land Office to monitor and inspect the slopes,” he said in a press conference in his office here.

The committee will be headed by state executive councillor for public works and utilities, Lim Hock Seng.

Guan Eng said the committee will comprise of engineers from the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Penang Island Municial Council (MBPP) who will inspect landslide hotspots to check for slope stability.

“They will also look for new hotspots and take remedial action if slope instability is detected,” he said.

He said the state is aware of the upcoming rainy weather of La Niña which could lead to landslides if there are hill slopes failure.

Two specialist engineering consultants, Datuk Dr Gooi See Saw and Datuk Lim Chow Hock have also been appointed to give their specialist opinions, he added.

The committee will inspect all land slopes to minimise landslides and if the land belonged to the state or the council, remedial actions will be taken immediately.

“If it is private land, we will inform the landowners to take immediate remedial action,” he said.