KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) is in discussions with the Public Works Department (JKR) to refine the scope of responsibility for tree maintenance along federal and state roads, following a court ruling that shifted the duty to local authorities.
Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the ministry’s Local Government Department has BP1 (Butiran Projek 1) funds, but it is limited to socio-economic, infrastructure, public amenities, and safety-related works.
“The infrastructure scope covers the construction and upgrading of roads and related routes within local authority areas. The ministry is working with JKR to fine-tune this matter.
“At the state level, the ministry encourages local authorities to secure funding from the annual road maintenance allocation, particularly through the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS),” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to a supplementary question from Syahredzan Johan (PH–Bangi) on KPKT’s efforts to secure additional funding for maintaining trees along federal and state roads, especially in light of the court decision.
On March 19, the Putrajaya Court of Appeal ruled that the Seremban City Council must pay RM216,949 in damages to a motorcyclist injured by a falling tree on the Seremban Federal Road seven years ago.
Aiman Athirah said KPKT is taking an inclusive approach to help local authorities prevent such cases, including conducting regular inspections to assess tree maintenance and risk levels, and ensuring each local authority has at least one certified arborist who has undergone accreditation courses.
She added that integrated cooperation and consensus between local authorities and the relevant state or district JKR through the State Action Committee or District Action Committee are essential to systematically and effectively address tree-related issues, including those along Federal Road reserves within local administrative areas.
-- BERNAMA
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