Local authorities told to step up tree maintenance to prevent falling incidents

LocalEnvironment
25 Feb 2025 • 9:24 PM MYT
Media Selangor (EN)
Media Selangor (EN)

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SHAH ALAM, Feb 25 — The local authorities in Selangor have been instructed to continuously monitor and maintain trees to prevent incidents of people being killed or injured by falling trees.

State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said all local authorities are urged to increase their budget allocation for maintaining ageing trees.

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State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim speaks during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly session in the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, on February 25, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR

“We have many trees because our goal is to preserve greenery. However, they also pose risks, especially during heavy rain and strong winds. We cannot prevent disasters.

“Therefore, we are asking the Rapid Squads (under the local authorities) to carry out tree maintenance, while specially appointed contractors will immediately handle pruning work,” he told the press at the lobby of the State Secretariat Building today.

Meanwhile, Ng said he has instructed the Royal Klang City Council to double its budget to over RM10 million this year for tree maintenance and flood mitigation efforts.

The directive comes after the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj’s decree to improve the cleanliness of Klang City.

Yesterday, a man was killed while his child survived after a tree fell on their car during heavy rain and strong winds in Kampung Bukit Kuda, Klang.

— Bernama