Residents campaigning against a f lying rock incident in Tanjung Bungah are now attacking the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) for not addressing adequately their situation which includes risk of death and injury.

NONE According to Tanjung Bungah Resident Association chairperson George Aeria ( right ), the community is uncertain of their future after June 4, as the temporary stop work order issued by the council to stop blasting activities in the area will come to an end by then.

Blasting activities by the developer of a high rise condominium on May 20 had resulted in a rock soaring 500 feet in the air, hitting a roof of a home in the area.

Residents are now fearful that the continuation of the blasting activities will result in similar situations, placing their lives at great risk.

Aeria said despite the council's temporary action, the association is still demanding to know why the condominium project had not been properly monitored over the years.

"Who in MPPP is responsible for this sad state of affairs (lack of proper monitoring) which has put us residents at risk of death and injury?" asked Aeria.

"What action will be taken against the irresponsible civil servants in the MPPP that have failed miserably in their duties in monitoring the project?" he added.

Last week, the association blasted the police for ignoring their plight while state chief police officer Ayub Yaacob said his team was investigating the matter.

Immediate answers wanted

Aeria said the association wanted immediate answers to what measures had been or will be taken to safeguard the residents so that future blasting, if any more, is done under strict legal guidelines.

"How can we be sure that strict and effective monitoring be done by our MPPP to ensure compliance by the developer?" he queried.

Other than highlighting the issue in the press, the association has written to council chairperson Patahiyah Ismail and director of engineering Khoo Say Boon.

According to a letter sent by Khoo to the association, obtained by Malaysiakini , the council has written to the police on May 24 and the Minerals and Geoscience Department on May 25 for further action.

However, both Patahiyah and Khoo are unavailable for comment today.

"Just by writing letters to the police and to the Minerals and Geoscience Department is not sufficient at all," said Aeria.

"If the council does not have the capacity, manpower and technical capability to monitor and control the actions of developers on risky hill slopes, then they have no business, approving projects on dangerous hill slopes," he added.