AUTHORITIES in Penang have identified at least 131 large trees on the island as “unhealthy” and in urgent need of a phase three risk assessment to determine if they should be removed for safety reasons, said state exco Jason H’ng Mooi Lye.
H’ng, who is also the state local government committee chairman said the trees are mainly located along Jalan Macalister, Jalan Utama, Jalan Burmah, Jalan Kelawei and Jalan Perak – all major roads used by thousands of motorists every day.
According to H’ng, phase three risk assessment involved the use of PiCUS Sonic Tomograph and Resistograph equipment to determine a tree trunk’s level of decay.
“The state government’s direction is very clear: if we can save any unhealthy trees, we will do it at all costs,” he told reporters when met at Jalan Macalister today (May 22) where he was briefed on the use of the equipment.
“If the level of internal decay is more than 70% to 80%, we have no choice but to chop down the tree for public safety. This is for safety reasons, especially for both motorists and pedestrians.”
Present were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and arborist Ridzuan Yahaya, who is Arbormaster Resources director.
H’ng further noted that there were at least 40,000 trees under the jurisdiction of MBPP, of which 314 are large trees over 90 years old that are still standing strong.
“This year, MBPP has appointed a contractor with arborist expertise to carry out tree risk assessment and maintenance on the five main stretches, namely Jalan Macalister, Jalan Utama, Jalan Burmah, Jalan Kelawei and Jalan Perak,” he said.
“As of now, 561 trees from 1,195 trees along the five roads have been assessed with the overall assessment work expected to be completed by next month.
“This will be expanded to other roads next year and will be carried out continuously.”
Meanwhile, in Seberang Prai, H’ng said there were 115,706 trees under the MBSP’s jurisdiction, of which 96,586 trees had been checked and marked.
“For this year, 23 trees in Seberang Prai have been identified as high risk. Eight of these trees have been chopped down while the remaining 15 will be done accordingly,” he said.
Rajendran said 30 trees under its jurisdiction had been approved for chopping down by the MBPP one-stop centre, represented by all technical departments.
He said the trees would have to go based on expert views for various reasons.
“It (the chopping down) will be done in stages. The high risk ones will be removed first. We don’t want to take any risk,” he remarked.
H’ng further assured that for every tree chopped, they would replant another tree in its place. – May 22, 2024
Main pic credit: Bernama
