GEORGE TOWN – State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the family of a victim who died after a tree fell on his car can go ahead with legal action as they are entitled to do so under the law.
He said the legal action against the relevant authorities and the state would require them to deal with the issue.
“However, asking the Datuk Bandar to resign from the post is uncalled for. The tree was replanted when the arborist issued the certificate.
“That is why we are investigating this case and we are monitoring every replanted tree now.
“Investigations ongoing to establish the cause of the incident and the report will be submitted to the state government once it is completed; we cannot assume that every other tree is the same,” he said.
In the fatal incident on Tuesday, a giant angsana tree crushed the roof of a car, killing the driver, after it was uprooted during a downpour here.
Jagdeep said this during the handing over of food items to 1,000 Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) staff at the Town Hall building here today.
Present were MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali and MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
“We have instructed both city council mayors to be cautious and monitor the replanting of trees and make sure all trees are safe because the safety of the people are of utmost importance,” Jagdeep said.
On another note, Jagdeep said, out of 5,200 staff members from the two city councils, only 1,493 have been vaccinated.
He said he has raised the matter with the Health Ministry as there are 2,400 frontliners in both councils who face a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 as they go out to the field.
He also commended MBPP and MPSP staff for working tirelessly to break the chain of Covid-19 transmissions.
Replanting procedures adhered to?
Meanwhile, adviser of the Malaysian Nature Society's Penang chapter Kanda Kumar questioned if proper procedures are being followed in removing and replanting trees.
He said he was saddened over the incident that had claimed a life.
He said the falling tree may reflect lack of knowledge about the replanting process on the part of the contractors.
“There are thousands of trees replanted all over the world and there has hardly been such an incident. Why did it happen here?” he said.
“It is not just dig-and-plant process. There are procedures to follow in the tree-replanting process.”
Kanda said a qualified arborist or botanist must be appointed to oversee the process, and contractors should not be allowed to undertake such a task without their presence.
“The experts will study the condition of the soil and root strength of the tree they want to remove,” he said.
“They will also study of the condition of the soil for about two weeks before replanting the tree there. It is not dig-and-remove today and dig-and-replant tomorrow.” – The Vibes, April 29, 2021
