Malaysia's ageing green canopy turns into fatal hazard

Minister, KL Mayor pledge to ensure public safety amid spate of fallen-tree incidents

- Hazlin Hassan Malaysia Correspondent and Muzliza Mustafa Malaysia Correspondent

Malaysia's Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming on Oct 29 pledged extra vigilance from the authorities, after a spate of fallen trees nationwide which has killed at least three people since September.

In two separate incidents on Oct 22, a man was killed and a woman was injured when trees fell onto their cars during a heavy downpour in Kuala Lumpur, which saw several trees uprooted across the capital.

Similar tragedies have happened regularly in the last few years, highlighting how the country's ageing green canopy, its source of shade and pride, has become a public safety concern, prompting the authorities to take action.

"We will continue to monitor (the situation)," Mr Nga told reporters on Oct 29 when asked about the string of incidents. He added that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) already maintains an inventory of trees with a scheduled monitoring system in place.

"We will do whatever is humanly possible. I for one, and Dato Seri Maimunah, believe prevention is always better than cure. There are thousands of trees that grow healthily," he said, referring to KL Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

In a written reply to The Straits Times, Madam Maimunah said the "DBKL is committed to ensuring public safety, maintaining a green and liveable city, and strengthening urban resilience to climate change".