MBPP: No choice but to fell dangerous, rotting trees

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is set to remove hazardous, rotting trees along major routes such as Jalan Macalister, Jalan Burma, and Jalan Kelawai due to safety concerns. Following incidents like a tree collapse that killed two Chinese tourists, MBPP President Datuk Anthony Rajendran has directed the felling of these dangerous trees.

Out of 179 trees earmarked for removal in 2026, 148 have already been cut down, with MBPP maintaining nearly 14,000 roadside trees annually at a cost of RM 4.3 million. The council employs satellite-based remote sensing and AI-assisted tracking, alongside physical checks by certified arborists, to identify and remove high-risk trees.

MBPP aims to replant five trees for every one felled, and will offer public viewings of the tree-rotting process. The Penang Ratepayers Association plans to hold a briefing with Rajendran over the city's congestion issues, exacerbated by ongoing roadworks for the Mutiara Light Rail Transit project and three new highways.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Vibes's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.