Resident associations and NGOs which threw their support behind Sungai Ara residents opposing a massive hillslope project near their homes have met a brick wall, as far as the response from the Penang government is concerned.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the state government will not be responding to the 18 organisations or the Sungai Ara residents association as the matter is pending in court.

“Let the court proceeding take place first,” Chow told reporters briefly after attending an event in Penang today.

Asked if the Penang government or the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) would be making a stand on the matter as requested by the residents’ associations, Chow said the state executive council has yet to discuss the matter.

Chow was responding to the 18 associations and organisations in Penang which held a press conference yesterday to pledge their support for Sungai Ara residents, who are appealing a decision by the Penang High Court on May 29 which ruled in favour of the developer, Sunway City.

The High Court had overturned the Nov 2015 decision of the Penang Appeals Board, which had decided in favour of the residents in not granting planning permission issued by the MBPP for the Sunway Hills project.

The project involves housing development on sensitive hill land – that is, land with more than 250 feet (76 metres) above sea level and a gradient exceeding 25 degrees.

Sunway had proposed to build 600 highrise apartments and bungalows on hill land covering 80 acres - approximately 43 percent of which are on slopes exceeding a gradient of 25 degrees.

In their press conference yesterday, the residents association members said it was vital for Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and the MBPP to make clear their position on hillslope development.

In 2012, Lim held a dialogue with residents affected by hillslope development and NGOs, assuring them his administration would review the 19 special projects, including the Sungai Ara project, which was allowed to be developed on hillslope which was higher than 250 feet.

The NGOs said the state should stop approving any further applications for development on sensitive hill land.

“These matters are of great importance to all citizens of Penang. We also call on the public to support the Sungai Ara residents in this very critical public interest case,” said the group's spokesperson Meenakshi Raman.

“Today it is Sungai Ara, tomorrow it could be Paya Terubong, and the next day it might be in your backyard; hence the need to defend the front line.”

Also present at the press event were representatives of the Consumers' Association of Penang, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Citizens Awareness Chant Group.