KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government has refuted a report claiming that an imported Brazilian silk floss tree, costing RM180,000 had died five months after being transplanted in Kuala Nerus.
The state government is now mulling legal action against those who made the claims.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman today slammed the news report as inaccurate.
“Firstly, the tree is not dead. This species actually ‘hibernates’ and the leaves may have fallen off owing to the hot tropical weather and soil conditions.
“Secondly, we (the state government) did not purchase the tree and are not accountable for its upkeep.
“The tree was provided for by the township’s project contractor as part of its development plan to beautify the park.
“So please do not drag us into the controversy. The matter had been explained at length before and is considered closed,” said a visibly upset Razif when approached at the National SME Week 2017 launch by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed at the Terengganu Trade Centre.
Razif said he would refer the matter to the state legal advisor for further action, including summoning the perpetrators to court.
Last February, Razif’s state administration was accused of spending public funds to purchase the 3.5-metre tree.
The matter was even debated at the state assembly sitting.
Razif had reiterated that the tree had been contributed by the township’s project contractor to beautify the landscape and was a landmark to draw visitors to the new township.