KUALA LUMPUR – The committee on tree care here will only hold its inaugural meeting some time this month, despite several cases of fallen trees every time it rains heavily.
Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the date has yet to be decided but it will involve her ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry, reported Bernama.
When asked about the local government ministry’s proposal on the need for local authorities to have arborists in service to improve landscape management in each municipal area, Dr Zaliha said the proposal was well received but those in the federal territories would like to have arborists as well as outside expertise.
Among the stakeholders in the committee were non-governmental organisations (NGOs), arborists and experts from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).
On May 20, Dr Zaliha was reported to have said that a discussion related to the implementation and care of trees in Kuala Lumpur would be held soon.
The formation of the committee was following several tree falling incidents due to heavy rain and strong winds, including on May 7 which claimed a man’s life and damaged 17 vehicles, as well as part of the monorail track in Jalan Sultan Ismail. – June 4, 2024