Tanjung Bungah residents allege construction persists at Sore Thumb site despite stop-work order and ongoing project appeals.
GEORGE TOWN: Residents of Tanjung Bungah claim that construction is continuing at the coastal “Sore Thumb” site despite a stop-work order reportedly issued by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow last week.
Community representative Oo Huei Ying alleged that workers were seen building structures at the site on Tuesday.
“On Nov 11, the developer brought in materials to carry out work at the beach. Activity is ongoing despite the chief minister’s directive to hold discussions with residents and halt all works,” she told theSun.
The alleged activity took place two days before the Penang Appeals Board was due to hear a case challenging the project’s planning permission.
Residents said they had sought clarification from the Chief Minister’s Office but had yet to receive a response.
A meeting between Chow and residents was held on Nov 6, during which concerns were raised over hoarding, blocked beach access and the clearing of trees on the reclaimed parcel known locally as the Sore Thumb.
According to a residents’ statement, Chow had ordered all activity at the site, including tree felling and the extension of barricades onto the public beach and sea, to cease immediately to prevent further damage to the tenuous coastal ecosystem.
Residents said Chow also agreed to review the project’s proposed public park and begin fresh discussions based on a counter-proposal for a nature-based park with walking trails and lookout points integrated into existing greenery.
State executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari was appointed to lead the review.
“Yesterday late at night, Zairil informed us that Plan Malaysia has issued an official letter to the developer to stop work and remove hoarding that is blocking public beach access. Plan Malaysia confirmed this (yesterday) at the Appeals Board,” Oo said.
Residents also called for the removal of hoarding and fencing extending beyond Lot 4658 and for the One Tanjong beach access gate, closed since Oct 26, to be reopened.
“Since the developer cordoned off the beach access gate without notice, rubbish has been left uncleared and has attracted crows. If this continues, it could draw rats and other pests, creating health issues,” the group said.
The disputed 1.5-acre site, reclaimed more than two decades ago, lies between the One Tanjong condominium and the public beach.
Lone Pine Group plans to develop a wellness suites complex and adjoining public park, a proposal now under appeal after residents lost an earlier bid to overturn the land’s rezoning.
At a case management hearing on Thursday, the Penang Appeals Board directed the developer to halt all work until Jan 20, the next case management date.
Residents’ lawyer Kanesh Sundrum confirmed that four documents, including the approved plan and the environmental, traffic and social impact assessment reports, had been handed to him.
Oo added that the Appeals Board instructed that a tripartite discussion be held among residents, the developer and the state government to resolve issues related to the proposed public park.
