While the numerous landslides and rockfalls on the island were unavoidable, the severity of the floods in Georgetown and on the island could have been alleviated if the Barisan Nasional government had not been negligent in providing for the necessary flood relief infrastructures in the city.
It is not only an unusual storm like Wendy which could turn Georgetown into a "Venice of the East", but an ordinary heavy downpour is sufficient to transform it into a "water" city.
The Penang State Government and the Penang Municipal Council have failed the people and the ratepayers in flood-relief programmes.
There should be no stronger and greater warning than the havoc wrought by Wendy that it is time the Penang State and Federal Government put their acts together to make the necessary infrastructure commitments to once and for all end the "watery" nightmares of Penangites whenever there are heavy downpours.
(6/9/99)