Illegal excavation causes massive erosion

An illegal excavation works has caused massive erosion during a downpour near Paya Terubong, Penang. According to nearby residents, the excavation had started a few years back but stopped abruptly. The activity started again last month and trucks have been seen removing soil daily.

The fast action from Yeoh Soon Hin, Adun of Paya Terubong and Wong Hon Wai, Adun Ayer Itam looking into the residents' complains has resulted to local authorities issuing summons and stopping all works at the site.

Yesterday, MPPP has blocked the entrance to the site with two concrete slabs as reported by CJ Carolyn Khor in her blog.

Video by Jimmy Leow

Debtors put Paya Terubong flats in deep trouble

April 01, 2010 — Paya Terubong is a working-class neighbourhood in the central part of Penang Island. Located at the heart of Penang Island, to the south of Air Itam, Paya Terubong is surrounded by hill ranges. The main road through this neighbourhood is Jalan Paya Terubong, which links Air Itam tothe north with Relau on the lowlands to the south.

Until the mid 1970's, Paya Terubong was still very much undeveloped, with most of its inhabitants being farmers working the hill slopes.

As scarcity of land in Penang becomes more pressing, the hill slopes in Paya Terubong began to be cleared for residential development since the beginning of the 1980's. The result is one of the most densely populated high rise apartments in Penang. The majority of the population here are the working class wage earners living in low cost and low-medium cost apartments.

Due to poor management, most of the flats and apartments located at this area are in a sorry state. Many lifts are damaged and has resulted to residents walking up and down the flats. Adun Paya Terubong, Yeoh Soon Hin speaks to CJ Jimmy Leow about his plans to solve this outstanding issue.

Video by JImmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist

Free medication for Paya Terubong residents

A free specialist medical camp was held at Sun Moon City, Paya Terubong ,Penang today. There are seven specialist doctors providing consultation and medication to the residents around Paya Terubong.

Siva Santa Derma Clinic co-ordinator P. Murugiah said one of the main aims of the camp was create awareness of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure.

According to consultant nephrologists Dr Goh Bak Leong said in a local newspaper that Malaysians who self-treat diabetes or hypertension by buying over the counter medication run the risk of kidney failures and based on observations, patients had tendency to self treat diabetes and hypertension after just one or two visits.

Yeoh Soon Hin, Adun Paya Terubong said that there will more of such medical camp in the Paya Terubong area and hopes get more people to attend this beneficial event.

Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist.

Road to Ayer Itam dam dangerous for cyclists

Ayer Itam Dam in Penang is the first dam to be built on Penang Island. It is located 700 feet above sea level in the watch catchment area surrounded by Penang Hill and Paya Terubong.

The best way to get to Ayer Itam dam is by car. Joggers and hikers walk up to it as well. To add to the list is to cycle your way up.

Many cyclists enjoy the steep climb and the breeze when they descend, but since a month or so, most of the road to the dam is covered with loose sand and tar from the excavation works done by a telecommunication company. This has caused the road condition to be unsafe for cyclists.

CJ Jimmy Leow investigates.

Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist