Onus on local councils to maintain trees, says former victim

PETALING JAYA: The recent heartbreaking incident where a father and daughter died in Penang after a tree fell on their car brought back sad memories for designer Tung EH.

Although 29 years have passed, Tung, 51, from Kuala Lumpur, recalled the tragic incident when a fallen branch hit the car he was travelling in with his father and a friend.

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The three of them were on their way back home from Melaka.

It was in 1995 during a strong windy thunderstorm as they were passing Jalan Tun Razak near the National Heart Institute.

His father, who was seated in the front passenger seat, died on the spot while Tung suffered injuries.

“We did not pursue the matter because my family didn’t want to go through a lengthy court process.

“However, the incident was highlighted in the press which resulted in the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) taking action to trim the trees around the city,” he said.

“It is up to the individuals if they want to sue the local government or those in charge of maintaining the trees.

“I feel more should be done by the local councils and other related agencies in maintaining the trees and also landscaping work.”

Tung also said many trees planted around the city were those of the fast-growing type and, as such, proper monitoring and maintenance were crucial.

“This is an important factor that must be considered by the authorities, given our volatile and wet climate,” he said, while hoping that similar tragedies would not recur in the future.

On Sept 18, two tourists from China were killed and another injured when a tree inside a building in George Town, Penang, came crashing down on their vehicle during a storm.