MBPP blames root rot and trunk cavity for Angsana collapse in George Town

On August 9, a 90-year-old Angsana tree in George Town collapsed along Jalan Macalister, injuring an elderly couple and their grandchild. The Malaysian Built Projects Private Limited (MBPP) Mayor, Datuk A. Rajendran, stated that the 28-metre-tall Pterocarpus indicus tree suffered from root rot and a cavity in its base trunk. Root rot accounted for 30 per cent of the issue, while 40 per cent of the problem stemmed from cavity decay.

The combination of root rot, cavity decay, infrastructure upgrades, soil compaction, and limited rooting space significantly increased the tree's risk of structural failure, according to Rajendran. The elderly couple was travelling in a Perodua Ativa SUV when it was crushed by the falling tree. The tree was removed by MBPP at 9.41am, and the road was reopened at 2.20pm after clearing works were completed.

MBPP had assessed 179 high-risk trees along Jalan Macalister in 2024, with 148 already removed. The tree was removed following a remote sensing study that found the trees to be in good condition in 2023. MBPP remains committed to prioritising tree safety, particularly those affected by infrastructure works and restricted rooting conditions.