The Penang government has admitted that it has not received any application by the owner of the land in Teluk Bahang, where massive clearing is being carried out on the hillslope near the dam.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the local authority - Penang Island Municipal Council (MBPP) - has not received any application for work on the land.

The landowner who may now face charges of illegal clearing is reportedly carrying out a mixed development project which includes 2,100 units of affordable housing.

Chow said the council has now received information from the land office and will ascertain the kind of activities being carried out on the land before taking any action.

“A notice has been sent to the land owner to explain what activities he is carrying out on the land. He will be asked to explain whether he has obtained any approval for work done on the plot,” Chow said at a press conference today.

“A stop-work order may be issued out to the owner after the local council has ascertained the kind of activities carried out on the said land,” added the state exco in charge of local government.

“The law provides for the owners to explain the activities carried out on their land, before summons are issued,” he stressed.

All new projects require planning permission

According to law, work done on any plot of land needs to obtain the approval of the local council, said Chow.

In the past, only urban or building plans were required to be submitted to the local council, but for now, all new projects require planning permission, he said.

Chow added that owners often misunderstand that they can carry out any activities on their own land, which is not true.

He was responding to massive clearing activities found on hillslopes in Teluk Bahang near the dam.

According to The Star report on May 1, the activities are probably carried out without the knowledge of the authorities.

According to the daily, the land belongs to a prominent tycoon from Kulim.

Meanwhile, the MBPP will be installing more CCTVs at the foothills of Batu Ferringhi and Paya Terubong.

While six will be installed by August, the MBPP has called for tender to purchase another 22 CCTVs for the areas.

According to MBPP engineering department deputy director A Rajendran, the council will study the legality of using drones to monitor hill clearing activities on private land.