Penang Records 38 Sinkholes Since 2023, Northeast District Worst Hit

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 38 sinkhole incidents have been reported across Penang since 2023, said State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye. 

Speaking during the state assembly sitting here today, he said the cases comprised 10 in 2023, eight in 2024 and 20 so far this year, with the Northeast district recording the highest number at 12 over the three years.

“Among the reported locations are Jalan Perak, Jalan Sungai Pinang, Jalan Paya Terubong, Federal Road FT006 Section 10.20, FT006 Section 3.80 and Jalan Free School.

“Other locations include Jalan Tanjung Section 66.70, Jalan Burma, Pengkalan Weld, SJK (T) Azad and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Section 11.9, all within the Northeast District,” he said in a written reply to a question from Joshua Woo Sze Zeng (PH-Pulau Tikus) regarding sinkhole incidents in the state.

Meanwhile, State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government, through the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), has allocated RM68,000 this year for research into the cause of a sinkhole in Jalan Jaya, Taman Cempaka, Central Seberang Perai.

He said last year, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) spent RM98,000 to purchase a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) device to detect and map subsurface objects beneath road surfaces using geophysical methods.

“The use of this equipment enables early detection of potential sinkhole occurrences,” he said in response to Wong’s question on state allocations and expenditure for detecting and studying potential sinkhole sites.

-- BERNAMA