4 days ago
Upset over healthy trees felled in Selangor
RESIDENTS of Klang, Selangor, are angry with their local council, alleging that it is on a 'tree-chopping rampage'.
Taman Melawis resident G. Santhi, 61, said Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) contractors went to her area without prior notice and started felling trees almost to the root.
'I have been living here since I was seven. This is the first time this is being done,' said Santhi.
'Usually, they will only prune and trim the trees for maintenance and not destroy them completely.'
Going by the way the contractors hacked at the trees, Santhi said they were probably not trained to do the job in a proper and non-destructive manner.
HK Sidambaram, 46, another resident there, alleged that MBDK had destroyed the trees that made the neighbourhood a pleasant place to live in.
'Now it is hot, humid and very uncomfortable without the trees,' he said.
The aftermath of 35 trees being chopped down in USJ2, Subang Jaya. — Filepic
Other residents also alleged that even fruit trees they had planted many years back were not spared.
Besides Taman Melawis, another area that bore the brunt of tree culling was the recreational park next to Stadium Sultan Sulaiman.
Senior citizens, retirees and those who frequent the park were heartbroken after 15 trees there were cut down.
Retired trade unionist A. Balasubramaniam said that without the trees, the seniors found it difficult to sit and chat because of the heat.
'There is no shade or cool environment and this has thrown a spanner in our social activities,' he said, adding that the retirees used to hold potluck meetings under the shady trees.
Jeanne Sivakumar, 48, is another affected park-goer who used to exercise at the park every morning but has stopped after the trees were cut.
'It is too hot now and most of those who used to frequent the park have also found other places for their morning recreation,' said Jeanne, adding that the once beautiful park was now barren.
Residents in USJ2, Subang Jaya, had also previously complained about rampant tree-cutting after Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) cut down 35 trees in their neighbourhood.
A tree being felled in Taman Melawis, Klang.
Christine Das, who is a wildlife conservation artist, said the indiscriminate cutting of the trees, which provided beauty and shade, had devastated the neighbourhood.
'The removal of this cluster of 35 trees has destroyed our vibrant bird habitat and reduced the bird population.
'It is a profound loss for me and my neighbours,' she said.
Christine said that after a mediation arranged by Subang MP Wong Chen between all stakeholders in late July, MBSJ had agreed to replace the trees that were chopped down.
'But the dates have not been confirmed yet.
'Currently our jogging track is being upgraded,' she added.
Wong, in a Facebook post on Aug 1, said the MBSJ Landscaping Department had explained that the trees in USJ2 were cut to manage landscape congestion and for public safety.
Malaysian Society of Arborist president Mohd Zailani Jamil said any decision pertaining to trees in a public place must be based on the needs of the people in the area.
Those involved in the management of these trees, he said, must also know how to maintain and manage trees to ensure they do not pose a danger.
'There is a technique to manage trees to promote their longevity as well as to ensure that their lifespans are long and healthy,' he added.
Mohd Zailani said it did not mean the trees posed a danger to people just because they were old.
'With proper pruning and management, trees will not pose a risk,'' he said.
He also said concerned residents had a right to know why the trees were felled.
When asked about the felling in Klang, MBDK Landscape and Recreational Department deputy director Azzura Zainal said she would look into the matter.
'There definitely must be a good reason for the city council to have done that,' she added.
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the two city councils would be questioned as to what prompted them to fell the trees.
