DBKL received over 60 complaints after last Saturday’s storm
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has identified two departments to handle the disposal of trees following the surge in fallen trees across the capital.
Recent thunderstorms have also led to an increase in garden waste in affected neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur.
DBKL executive director (Socio-Economic Development) Ismadi Sakirin said two departments would be involved in the disposal of trees that fell in public areas during thunderstorms.
“In the case of an emergency or obstruction where trees have fallen on the roadside, the Landscape Development and Recreation Department will remove them,” Ismadi said.
“For trees that have fallen within neighbourhoods, the Health and Environment Department is responsible.
“Both departments will coordinate on this. We received over 60 complaints about fallen trees and broken branches last Saturday alone, so it’s going to take some time to clear everything.”
Household garden waste, on the other hand, falls under the jurisdiction of Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).
Federal Territories SWCorp director Ummi Kalthum Shuib reported no increase in garden waste this month, with the exceptions of areas like Bangsar Baru, Bukit Damansara, Bukit Tunku and Taman U Thant.
“Garden waste includes organic material from gardening and landscaping activities such as tree branches, twigs, fallen leaves, weeds and flowers.
“It generally excludes large tree branches. DBKL handles large trees using a wood chipper,” she said.
Ummi Kalthum advised residents to follow the standard operating procedure for garden waste disposal.
“Tie everything up properly and place it next to your green bin. Don’t dump it elsewhere.
“The schedule for garden waste collection is the same day as bulk and recycling waste. So check your schedule,” she added.
In a statement from its corporate communications unit, DBKL said for non-council trees falling inside private home compounds, the responsibility was on the owner to clean up.
Last Saturday, thunderstorms wreaked havoc across the city, resulting in fallen trees in a large number of places.
Resident Muniama Raja, who lives in Taman Bukit Indah, Jalan Kelang Lama, said her 20-year-old Pavalamalli tree (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), also known as night-blooming jasmine, split in two during the storm.
“I had to hire a gardener to cut the fallen tree branches into smaller pieces for disposal.
“My neighbours reported trees falling and branches breaking. The area looked like the aftermath of a tornado,” Muniama said.
City residents are advised to lodge a report at adukl@dbkl.gov.my to report fallen trees causing obstructions or call 03-20282872 or email callcentre@dbkl.gov.my
