KUCHING: Datuk Wee Hong Seng has stressed that tree removal in areas under the jurisdiction of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will only be done after consultation with experts.
The MBKS mayor added that while cutting down trees is discouraged, it may be necessary for reasons such as the tree being old or posing a danger to the public.
“Since I became mayor, I have never wanted to cut down trees because trees are very important to the environment.”
He mentioned that they would only proceed with removal after considering expert advice.
“if you see the way our staff cut down the trees, the tree is already old and rotten, and if it is not removed, it could pose a danger to the public, as there have been situation where trees fall off on the roads. And we do not want this to happen.”
He said this when asked by the media regarding to a recent Facebook post from a user concerning a tree being removed in Padungan, during a press conference for the upcoming Cheongsam Cultural Festival: Love Cheongsam, Beauty of the East at the MBKS building here on Wednesday (Oct 11).
“Rest assured, we appreciate the concern from the public regarding this issue, but we are only doing it if it is necessary. We are going to continue to consult the experts.
“If it cannot be saved, then like it or not we have to cut down the tree. It is not my way of doing things, to cut down trees without any sort of reason, or else the people might question why the tree is being chopped down.
“That being said, we have an overall study on tree planting and a plan with consultants to improve the overall landscape of the Padungan area, and we will announce it soon,” he added.
A recent post under a Facebook group called Kuching – Then and Now attracted attention, where a user expressed their concern over a tree being chopped in the Padungan area.
“I am disappointed that another tree is chopped off in Padungan! Can local authority look after the trees, they are more than 80 years old,” the Facebook user posted.
