KANGAR: The Perlis Public Works Department has launched a special team dedicated to cutting down trees that pose a risk to road users.
State Infrastructure and Public Transport Committee chairman Izizam Ibrahim said that the department has engaged a contractor to address the risks posed by uprooted trees.
Izizam (Perikatan Nasional-Titi Tinggi) said that funds from the Malaysian Road Records Information (Marris) will be utilised by the department to expedite the initiative.
"However, completing the removal of trees fully in a short period of time is challenging due to their numbers along roadsides. This requires significant funding.
"This process continues yearly based on safety priorities until complete removal of the trees, as annual maintenance funds do not focus solely on tree removal," he said during the state legislative assembly sitting today.
He was responding to a question from Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (PN-Bintong) regarding the Perlis government's efforts to tackle public concerns about uprooted trees
Meanwhile, he said that Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar) will send out letters on the maintenance and monitoring of risky trees within supervised areas to all responsible agencies statewide.
"Through these letters, each agency is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and conducting maintenance work such as pruning or removing risky trees within their jurisdiction, especially those along roads," he added.
He also said that MPKangar will seek feedback from each agency on actions taken concerning trees under their care, such as the Forestry Department, Public Works Department, and the Irrigation and Drainage Department.
On June 23, a severe storm damaged 48 homes in Perlis.
Among the affected were a couple on a motorcycle, struck by an uprooted tree in Simpang Empat at 3.15am. Both suffered broken legs, and his pregnant wife endured a miscarriage due to a head injury and internal bleeding.