The tree was weakened by the roots being cut off in the accident

PETALING JAYA: Tuesday’s incident, in which a 47-year-old man died after a large tree fell on Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur during a thunderstorm, destroying several cars and a bus stop, was the result of extensive deforestation of its roots Construction of a walkway.

Architecture and urban planning lecturer Ungku Norani Sonet Ungku Abdul Rahman said the incident was not just due to the age of the tree or the weather.

“The separation of the roots made it unstable and the tree could be compared to a standing pencil. This ultimately led to collapse, loss of life and significant property damage,” she said.

The certified arborist Dr. Ahmad Ainuddin Nuruddin supported their view.

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“The tragic event could have been prevented if the roots of the affected tree had not been heavily cut down.”

An arborist is a professional who deals with the cultivation, management and examination of individual trees, shrubs and vines.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Ministry (Federal Territories), Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, who visited the site on Tuesday, said inspections of the trees were carried out every two years.

“While the 50-year-old tree was under private supervision, the frequency of inspections needs to be increased, especially given the unpredictable weather conditions,” Zaliha said.

As images of the uprooted tree with its roots severed spread on social media, the public also expressed concerns about whether more trees will suffer the same fate.

Ungku Norani said the minister’s comments came too late and stressed the importance of striking a balance between creating attractive landscapes and ensuring the safety of trees.

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“Kuala Lumpur City Hall should have effective monitoring and maintenance practices in place, regardless of whether the trees are old or not and whether they are on public or private land.

“Responsibility for tree care needs to be shared between City Hall and property owners to keep urban areas safe and green. The tree fall is just one example of what can happen when maintenance is neglected.”

She said that while authorities often focus on trees to make landscapes beautiful, they often overlook the need to take effective safety measures.

“Trees add beauty to our surroundings. However, their true value lies in the fact that they thrive in a way that does not pose a threat to the public or property. It’s not enough to admire trees just for their appearance if we don’t actively work to keep them healthy and stable.

“We need to change our mindset and start prioritizing ways to properly care for trees to prevent more fatal accidents,” she said.

Ungku Norani called for a change in authorities’ approach to tree care, saying a more comprehensive strategy that takes aesthetics and safety into account is needed.

“By implementing strong policies and encouraging collaboration between stakeholders, city and local councils can mitigate the risks associated with such incidents and protect the public.”

A City Hall spokesperson declined to provide clarification when theSun contacted City Hall for its response to public concerns about the way the company conducted landscaping work.

“The matter is currently under investigation. We are in a meeting with the mayor to seek clarification on the incident.

“We urge the media and the public to wait for the investigation to be completed before we can make an official statement,” he said.

On Wednesday, City Hall was ordered to develop new guidelines for managing the city’s aging trees.

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