KUALA NERUS: Hundreds of old and decaying trees in public places, recreational grounds and on the road shoulders in Terengganu, will either be trimmed or chopped down.
The chopped down trees will be replaced with new trees, to maintain the ‘green’ environment.
The state government has decided to take this drastic measure in the wake of the freak accident that killed two and seriously injured three others along Jalan Mengabang Lekar, near Batu Rakit on Saturday.
Terengganu local government and housing committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee said that the local authorities, with the assistance of other agencies, will begin inspection of trees suspected of being old and rotting in all eight districts, beginning Monday.
“We do not want a repeat of the tragic accident that claimed two lives and seriously injured another three, a day ago.
“Little did we expect a branch from such a strong tree to break off and crash onto the vehicles.
“Fortunately, there were no other fatalities or injuries.
“We are not taking any chances and the menteri besar (Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman) has issued a directive to inspect and take appropriate action, especially during this monsoon season where the winds are very strong,” said Jidin, who is also Permaisuri state assemblyman.
He was commenting on the case where the Kia van driver Mohd Amin Ibrahim, 36, and Form Five student Muhammad Zulfahmi Abdul Halim, 17. were crushed to death in the 1pm incident.
A third occupant of the van, Muhammad Zulafkar Fauzi, 17, was seriously injured.
Two women travelling in a Perodua Kancil in the opposite direction also sustained injuries from the impact of the falling tree branch and have been warded at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Batu Burok.
Jidin said that the Forestry Department had a very long time ago, planted a large number of kahya (African mahogany species) and serting trees along the road shoulders in Kuala Nerus.
Some of these trees are as high as 35m, have a one-metre trunk diameter, and the roots are buttressed.
“It is time that a large number of them are taken down and replaced. “However, the trimming and chopping has to be done in an organised manner and by authorised parties, as the exercise can endanger lives and properties,” said Jidin.
He added that some quarters may question the rationale used to chop down old treasured trees, but there should be no room for sentiment over the safety of lives and properties.
Jidin said the state government will rope in agencies like the police, Rela, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and volunteers to form a ‘flying squad’ to carry out the task.
“We will need a lot of manpower and machinery to trim or chop the trees using chain saws and skylifts.
Meanwhile, Kuala Terengganu City Council mayor Datuk Zulkipli Abu Bakar said that they were aware of even pine and coconut trees in the popular Batu Burok recreational area, which posed a hazard.
“We have tried replacing the old and rotting trees with new ones but they have failed to grow at the beach area.
“Nevertheless, we will trim the affected trees to restrict their height, so as to minimise the impact should there be a fall.
On another matter, Terengganu education department director Shafruddin Ali Hussin described the late Zulfahmi as a bright student who obtained straight ‘A’s in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia trial examination.
He said Zulfahmi and Zulafkar were on their way to Permai Hotel in Jalan Mahmud to attend a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia elite camp hosted by the state education department.
Both are students with Sekolah Kebangsaan Penuh Integrasi Batu Rakit (or BRainS), which is a co-ed religious school that was formerly known as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaaan Agama Batu Rakit.
Zulfahmi’s father Abdul Halim Rani, 50, said they had lost a very talented and intelligent son, who was the second of his nine children.
“Initially, I had learnt from my wife that Zulfahmi was critically injured and rushed to the hospital. When I arrived, hospital staff dir
ected me to the forensics unit and I knew then that he had perished.
“Zulfahmi was a bright and jovial son who often excelled in his studies. We had all looked forward for him to sit for the SPM exams and come out with flying colours,” said Halim, an officer with Majlis Amanah Rakyat in Hulu Terengganu.