Unauthorised tree-chopper at Jalan TAR will be made to pay

KUALA LUMPUR (March 8): Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is out to catch the culprit who has felled as many as 14 trees planted along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

“Two trees were felled in February 2017, with three more cut down between Nov 28 and 29 last year. On Feb 18, another nine trees were felled,” a DBKL spokesman was quoted telling The Star.

“We are investigating the incident to find out who felled the trees. If we find enough evidence, the person responsible will need to pay the costs and compensate accordingly,” the spokesman added.

He said 20 hoptrees were planted there in 2015, and they are valued between RM11,000 and RM20,000 each.

According to him, there had been similar incidents in the past, where the culprits were reportedly upset the trees blocked their shop signages or billboards.

“They can always ask DBKL to trim the trees. They should never take matters into their own hands. We have invested a lot in landscaping and beautifying the area,” he stressed.

Batu Road Retailers Association (Barra) vice-president Datin Rohana Mohammad Nasir revealed they have an inkling a retailer was responsible for the misdeed.

“We first noticed that the trees had been chopped down in November last year, but did not think too much about it. Following that incident, the row of trees there have been regularly trimmed. So, we assumed that it was all being done by contractors hired by DBKL,” she said.

Last month, however, association members became suspicious after a whole row of trees were chopped down.

“When DBKL denied any tree trimming or chopping activity was being done in the area, we conducted our own investigation and think we have found the culprit.

“We are very upset about what has happened and will be making an official complaint to DBKL regarding this matter,” Rohana said.