AN activist is calling on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to engage arborists to determine the right tree species for the city.
Alliance for a Safe Community (Ikatan) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said DBKL’s many greening initiatives must be complemented with expert advice.
He said the issue was pressing given the spate of fallen trees in the capital in recent years, some of which had been fatal.
“Recent incidents have raised a question: Do we have enough arborists to determine suitable plant species for Kuala Lumpur?
“These experts can help DBKL identify which species are suited to withstand the country’s tropical climate,” he said.
Lee’s comment was in response to a StarMetro’s report on March 26 titled “City Hall steps up tree maintenance”.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud was quoted saying that pruning works were being carried out at high-risk locations across 11 parliamentary constituencies.
He had said that the operations would also be carried out at public parks, children’s playgrounds and open spaces.
DBKL also issued a statement later that it had undertaken work to prune high-risk branches and trim old trees.
Among locations involved are Jalan Bukit Setiawangsa, Jalan Kepong Batu 6 1/2, Jalan Puncak Kiara 1, Lorong Maarof, Jalan Kelapa, Jalan Danau Saujana and Jalan Sentul.
DBKL’s announcement came following the Sessions Court’s ruling on Tuesday ordering the local authority to pay over RM820,000 to a couple whose son was killed by a fallen tree.
The victim was riding a motorcycle to work in Jalan Kuching when he was struck and was pronounced dead a day later on March 24, 2023.
The award covers RM26,180 for funeral expenses, RM768,000 for loss of dependency and RM30,000 in bereavement damages.
Judge Effandi Nazila Abdullah ruled that the tree was under DBKL’s management and the accident was due to negligence.
DBKL has appealed against the decision to the High Court.
