Penang Seeks Public Feedback On RSNPP 2040 Review

GEORGE TOWN,  Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government is urging the public, including professional associations and stakeholders, to provide  feedback in the public consultation programme for the Review of the Penang State Structure Plan 2040 (RSNPP 2040), particularly regarding the hill slope development policy.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the publicity and public participation programme aims to inform the public about the RSNPP 2040, which is reviewed every 10 years. It offers stakeholders an opportunity to share their views on Penang’s future.

“This programme is open to everyone, including individuals, communities, organisations, the private sector, and professional bodies. It provides a chance for them to express their opinions on the state’s development direction, particularly concerning hill slope development,” he said after a cheque presentation ceremony at Komtar’s F Auditorium here today

Chow said the state government is keen to consider all suggestions and feedback from the public, organisations, and stakeholders, adding that this is the time for them to speak up about the state's future.

His comments followed a protest by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), which criticised the state government's consideration of changes to the hill slope development policy, warning that such revisions could pose greater safety risks in the future.

Yesterday, State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye, launched the RSNPP 2040, which will introduce several improvements, including a review of development height policies and the coordination of environmentally sensitive areas.

H'ng said one of the aspects under review is the policy restricting development above 76 metres (m) from sea level, a restriction that has previously been in place. The review will also consider the state’s constraints, particularly land scarcity and the presence of numerous environmentally sensitive areas.

Elaborating, Chow said the state government aims to obtain a stronger technical justification for the permitted development heights.

“The existing guidelines set the height limit at 76m or 250 feet above sea level, a measure that has been in place for decades, but without clear documentation of how it was determined," he noted.

He pointed out that other states, such as the Federal Territories, have set a height limit of 500 feet. Therefore, the public consultation provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including engineering institutes, architectural associations, and urban planning bodies, to offer their expert opinions.

Chow further explained that hill slope development is not new to the state, as certain infrastructure projects that exceeded the height limit had been approved previously, subject to stringent conditions.

“If a highway can be permitted, we need to consider its rationale in comparison to other developments such as residential housing. This requires in-depth technical perspectives,” he said.

Meanwhile, SAM president R. Meenakshi issued a statement opposing any revisions to the current policy in RSNPP 2030, which prohibits development on slopes exceeding 76 metres or a gradient steeper than 25 per cent. This policy was introduced following several landslides that caused fatalities and destroyed homes in the state.

SAM stressed that the state government and local authorities should focus on strengthening climate resilience efforts, rather than relaxing regulations for development in high-risk areas.

“SAM will submit feedback on the publicity report of the RSNPP 2040 review and collaborate with other civil society organisations to raise awareness among Penang residents, urging them to reject proposed changes to the policy.

“We also call on the state government to maintain the current policy that limits hill slope development,” Meenakshi said.

-- BERNAMA