GEORGE TOWN – A former Penang assemblyman has raised concerns over mounting public health risks in the state if no concrete measures are taken to address them.
Former Batu Uban assemblyman from PKR, Datuk Dr T. Jayabalan, told a gathering of civil society movement (CSM) members that the state’s move to explore mining of rare earth elements (REE) and the continued use of asbestos piping in affordable housing could increase cancer-related cases.
A medical doctor by training, Jayabalan said CSM must now broaden its focus beyond overdevelopment and pollution to include pressing public health issues.
“I worry for Penang with reports that we are now rich with the REE due to the concerns that it can emanate radioactivity. I dread to think of the prospects of Penang going ahead with it. We need to safeguard public health,” he said.
Jayabalan made the remarks despite Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s assurance that the state’s potential deposits consist of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE), estimated to be worth RM87 billion and located in hilly areas such as Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau, Bukit Mertajam and Bukit Panchor.
Chow has stressed that a strong mineral regulatory framework must be implemented before any exploration or development begins.
However, Jayabalan maintained that any form of REE mining carries the risk of radioactive contamination. He cited the alleged 1982 radioactive incident in Bukit Merah, Perak, when residents in nearby Papan complained of foul odours, smoke and breathing difficulties due to suspected pollution.
He also criticised the ongoing use of asbestos materials in low-cost housing.
“This can endanger the occupants, too. We must put a stop to it, as it too is a cancer risk component,” he said.
Protecting heritage
Jayabalan was speaking at the “Speak Up for Penang” forum, organised by 11 civil society organisations.
Meanwhile, former Penang Heritage Trust president Khoo Salma Nasution highlighted how authorities now allow developers to build higher and denser towers through the transfer of development rights (TDR), a concept unfamiliar to most Penangites.
Lawyer Cheong Yew Sheng argued that heritage protection must not be confined to the George Town World Heritage Site’s core and buffer zones, which comprise just 259.78ha and about 4,000 heritage-class structures.
“Do we mean we can remove the Suffolk House easily, as it does not fall into the heritage zone? We need to have a conscious effort to protect all heritage buildings,” he said.
Khoo Salma added that Penang must recognise a broader heritage enclave beyond the UNESCO-designated area, noting that the proposed Mutiara LRT project could encroach on heritage values.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman reminded the public that they can invoke the Freedom of Information Bill to obtain details about developments that may impact their neighbourhoods.
Aliran president Anil Netto said the forum revealed how residents across the state are grappling with the worsening consequences of decisions made without transparency or adequate planning.
Traffic jams have become endemic, while flash floods, once rare, now strike frequently.
“Green spaces continue to vanish,” Netto said, adding that many residents feel powerless as major projects move forward without clear justification.
“The forum, attended by more than 100 residents, was held because ‘people want answers’ and want their concerns to be acknowledged, not dismissed, he added. – December 4, 2025