Call to reduce height of trees in Miri
MIRI: The Miri City Council (MCC) should continue its effort to reduce the height of trees planted for city landscaping.
United People Party (UPP) Pujut branch chairman Bruce Chai said this effort is needed due to strong winds.
Chai, an ex- councillor with Miri City Council ( MCC), made this comment yesterday after a big tree was uprooted by strong winds on Thursday evening at Pujut highway and caused heavy traffic congestion in the area. The fallen tree also hit a truck. According to Chai, the truck driver was very lucky to escape without any injuries.
In view of the incident, he recalled a visit by a horticulturist who looks after the landscape for Putrajaya and West Malaysia to the city two years ago.
“During the visit, he gave a talk on the landscaping followed by site visit to all the areas with landscape arts throughout the city.
“He has raised up his concern on a row of bug trees planted along the Pujut highway to the roundabout area. His first advice to the council was on the need to reduce the height of the trees.”
Later, he said the MCC proceeded with the policy to reduce the height of trees from Pujut 7 until Lutong roundabout via a first phase.
However, he pointed out that a similar effort in the second phase until GK roundabout was stopped a year later due to public complaint.
“At that time, the people did not really know about the councils effort in reducing the tree height because they thought cutting the tree branches will only take away the role of the tree as the shed along the road.
“The council was cutting the tree branches to control the tree height. Otherwise the trees would be too tall and pose danger during heavy storms.”
He hoped the council would continue with the effort to reduce the tree height.
“This issue has to be address immediately. We have been lucky that the truck driver was not injured.
“However, the situation would be worse if it involved a small vehicle.”