Getting a grip of the problem: The Malaysian Institute of Architects called for comprehensive assessments of trees conducted by arborists. — AZMAN GHANI /The Star
PETALING JAYA: There should be a proactive approach towards tree management in the city, say architects, following the fallen tree incident in Kuala Lumpur that killed one person and injured two others.
The Malaysian Institute of Architects said one way was to conduct comprehensive tree assessments.
“Local governments should employ arborists to maintain a register of public trees.
“The health, condition and value of existing street trees should be assessed before making any decision regarding their removal, with removed trees to be placed in an appropriate location,” said its president Adrianta Aziz.
She was commenting on Tuesday afternoon’s incident, where a large tree fell onto 17 vehicles, killing a 47-year-old man and injuring two others along Jalan Sultan Ismail, near the Concorde Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
The incident that occurred during a thunderstorm also disrupted KL Monorail’s services at four stations as some tree branches fell on the elevated track, though the line fully reopened at 5pm yesterday after detailed inspections were completed.
Adrianta said there should be tree management policies with clear guidelines and regulations to guide the management, maintenance and protection of street trees, ensuring their long-term viability.
“Community groups and professional bodies such as the institute could be roped into decision-making processes related to street tree management.
“There should also be a tree-planting initiative by encouraging the planting of suitable species in urban areas, considering factors such as adaptability, biodiversity and urban resilience.”
She added that the frequency and intensity of extreme weather occurrences underscore the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to such events.
In SEREMBAN, Bernama reported that the Negri Sembilan government has ordered all local authorities to identify trees that are at higher risk of falling in bad weather, especially on private land.
State local government development, housing and transport committee chairman J. Arul Kumar said this was due to previous fallen trees incidents in several areas throughout the state.
“There are indeed cases involving private land, so I have asked local authorities if there are trees that are at risk on the side of main roads and residential areas, or adjoining private land, and we will send a notice to the landowners so that action can be taken.
“We will also study the possibility of legal action. I have asked the various local authorities to identify (risks) before anything happens in the future,” he said during the question and answer session at the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly sitting here yesterday.
He said this in his reply to a question from Kamarol Ridzuan Mohd Zain (PN-Paroi) who wanted to know the state government’s plans for trees on private land that pose a threat to public safety.
