The incident of a falling tree killing a motorist has reignited calls for stronger landscape maintenance in Kuala Lumpur.
Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to improve tree maintenance and monitoring.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened in the capital.
“Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure roadside trees are properly maintained.
“Regular inspections and monitoring are essential,” Lee said.
A 43-year-old man was killed on Saturday when a tree fell onto the car he was driving along Jalan Tun Razak.
Another vehicle carrying seven people was also struck, though none of its occupants suffered external injuries.
Save Kuala Lumpur chairman Datuk M. Ali questioned whether sufficient action had been taken following previous incidents.
“Have we not learned from the past? Doesn’t DBKL have arborists to monitor the condition of our trees on a continuous basis?” he asked.
DBKL, in a statement, said a technical investigation was underway to identify hazardous trees along major roads.
Initial inspections would cover Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Datuk Keramat and parts of Jalan Tun Razak.
The exercise is expected to be completed within 10 weeks.
“A total of eight teams including five arborists have been deployed for the exercise.”
DBKL said the tree that fell on Saturday was estimated to be 19 years old and was last inspected on May 15 last year.
“We are conducting a detailed technical investigation together with Malaysian Society of Arborists to determine the cause of the incident.
“It will examine the tree’s physical condition, root structure, soil condition, environmental factors and other related aspects, as well as records of previous inspections, maintenance and any complaints linked to the tree and the location.”
