GEORGE TOWN: The million-plus trees under the care of local city councils are being closely monitored amid the unpredictable gusts of strong wind in Penang.
The scrutiny on tree management followed an incident on Sunday, where a mother and her young son narrowly missed being crushed to death by a falling tree along Jalan Macalister, a road in the city famed for being lined with large shady trees.
State local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said both Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council are now on high alert to keep a close watch on Penang’s tree-lined roads.
“I expect both councils to send me a complete report by this week,” he told reporters after the launch of the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal upgrading project here yesterday.
H’ng said that more than a million trees in the state are under the supervision of local councils, which have officers who conduct monitoring during scheduled routine inspections.
He added that both local councils also appoint contractors to trim the trees.
He said the local councils will take appropriate action to prevent any unwanted incidents if there are any complaints about unsafe trees.
“Under the Local Government Act, if a tree has reached a certain circumference, it is prohibited from being cut down. Approval must be obtained from the local council committee,” he said.
