GEORGE TOWN, May 23 — Authorities have identified 131 large trees along several busy roads on Penang Island as at “high risk” of toppling, according to state exco Jason H’ng Mooi Lye. However, further risk assessments will be conducted before any trees are felled. Equipment such as PiCUS Sonic Tomograph and Resistograph will be used to determine the internal decay and stability of the trees. If the decay exceeds 70 to 80 percent, the trees will be removed for public safety, with replacements planted elsewhere.
The Penang Island City Council’s One Stop Centre (OSC) committee must approve any felling decisions, ensuring no arbitrary actions are taken. The contractor, professional arborists, will assess each of the 131 trees and suggest alternatives such as treatment or pruning. The assessments have been completed for 561 of the 1,195 trees along five major roads, with the remaining assessments to be finished by next month. The MBPP OSC has already approved the removal of about 30 trees for public safety, and a similar process is underway on the mainland, where 23 trees have been identified for removal.
