KUALA LUMPUR – Individuals who have suffered damages from uprooted trees can apply for compensation from the respective local councils, said the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
However, each application is subject to the results of the investigation carried out by insurers appointed by the respective local council, said minister Nga Kor Ming in a written parliamentary reply.
He added that the public is encouraged to alert the authorities on trees that could pose an immediate danger.
In another reply, the ministry said a one-off allocation of RM1 million for tree monitoring and assessment was given to four local authorities last year, while other councils received RM250,000 each.
So far, only 49 of the 155 local councils have a functional landscape unit tasked with tree maintenance. For those without a unit, the responsibility is managed by the council’s technical unit.
The ministry also encourages each local council to have an accredited arborist to ensure tree maintenance can be carried out effectively.
From January to April, there were 1,085 cases of uprooted trees nationwide.
The Fire and Rescue Department in 2023 also recorded 4,828 of such cases – the majority of them in Selangor (953), Perak (575) and Johor (523).
This issue made national headlines in early May when a massive tree in Jalan Sultan Ismail here fell on the road and the monorail track, claiming the life of one man and injuring two others, as well as pinning down 17 vehicles.
However, Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa clarified that the 30-year-old tree belonged to Menara IMC, and not Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Following that, DBKL said it would improve the Shade Tree Management Plan, as well as prepare new guidelines for old and high-risk trees.
Although the new guidelines are expected to be ready in July, monitoring of high-risk trees continues, taking into account environmental preservation and conservation.
DBKL said 175 trees have been identified as high-risk, the majority of which are over 50 years old, and 147 have been cut down.
High-risk trees are those with a high potential of experiencing structural failure and falling, and assessments of tree risk will take into account the physical condition of the tree on-site. – July 12, 2024