The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has issued an immediate stop-work order against the developer whose project site suffered a major landslide, claiming at least two lives.

MBPP mayor Maimunah Sharif who visited the site along Jalan Lembah Permai 3 in Tanjung Bungah today said appropriate action will be taken against the developer after the cause of the landslide is determined.

"We are still investigating the cause of the incident.

"However, our immediate focus now is to recover the bodies as there may be some who are still alive," she added.

At least 14 more workers remain buried by the landslide and the Fire and Rescue Department is trying to extract them.

Maimunah said a Malaysian was among the 14 trapped workers.

"I just spoke to the family but cannot reveal his details yet. It is learnt that he is the supervisor," Maimunah said after a press conference at the site.

Two bodies that were retrieved earlier were Bangladeshi workers.

Maimunah said it was unlikely that the landslide was caused by rain.

"It is not caused by rain as there had been no heavy downpour these few days.

As of now, it is classified as an on-site accident," she told Malaysiakini.

The construction site was earmarked for an affordable housing project.