KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has urged every local authority to have at least one certified arborist by 2030.
Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the move was to enhance the management and maintenance of trees in urban areas nationwide.
"At present, 89 out of 156 local authorities have a landscape department or unit that manages landscape development to ensure continuous tree management and maintenance.
"For those local authorities without a dedicated department or unit, these functions are carried out by the relevant technical units.
"Among the 89 local authorities, only 18 officers from 11 local authorities have been certified as arborists and are still in service.
"To enhance the management and maintenance of trees in urban areas across the country, the ministry strongly urges that every local authority have at least one certified arborist by 2030," he said in response to Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol).
Shamshulkahar had inquired about the ministry's actions to improve the landscape management in each urban area to reduce the frequent fallen tree incidents, following a shortage of certified arborists in the country.
Regarding the issue of fallen trees, Aiman Athirah said the ministry viewed the matter seriously as it poses a risk to public safety. She said one of the causes of such incidents was ageing trees in urban areas.
"Therefore, the following actions are being taken, including the green area assessment and treatment programme, which focuses on trees that are at risk (old, diseased and hazardous) along roadsides and in public spaces.
"The activities involve include data inventory, risk and economic assessments, as well as treatment methods aimed at minimising the risk of tree failure."
She said additionally, more than 10 guidelines and management manuals for trees have been prepared as references for local authorities, enhancing the skills of local authorities' officers and staff, as well as tree management courses.