SHAH ALAM: There is a need for coordination among the National Landscape Department, state governments and local authorities to address falling trees caused by strong winds and storms that could threaten public safety.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a long-term approach should be taken to manage and preserve old trees without cutting them down.
"Coordination between the federal government, state governments and local authorities with expertise (in the field) will be able to determine matters related to the management of old, valuable trees," he said after launching the History and National Unity 2024 convention today.
Yesterday, two people were killed and another injured when a tree was uprooted and fell on their vehicle in Lebuh Gereja, George Town.
The Penang government has received nearly 200 reports of fallen trees, some of which have damaged homes and vehicles due to storms and heavy rains over the past three days.
In Kuantan, a 68-year-old man was killed and his granddaughter injured when a tree fell on them following a storm at a campsite in Pantai Balok, Beserah on Tuesday.
In May, a 47-year-old man was killed after an uprooted tree fell on his car on Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Experts have called for an urgent review of Malaysia's tree-care policies to prevent such fatalities.