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Malaysia Group Proposes 2km Tree-Free Zone on High-Risk Roads After Fatal Incident
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Disasters & Emergencies

Malaysia Group Proposes 2km Tree-Free Zone on High-Risk Roads After Fatal Incident

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Following a fatal incident where a car was crushed by a falling tree, a Malaysian community group proposed creating a 2km tree-free zone along high-risk roads.
  • The proposal aims to prevent falling trees from hitting roadways, thereby protecting motorists.
  • The group also suggested regular safety audits of large trees near main roads, utilizing technology like drones and arboricultural experts.

Kuala Lumpur – In response to a tragedy that claimed four lives when a vehicle was struck by a falling tree, the Pahang chapter of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCCC) has proposed a significant safety measure: establishing a two-kilometer tree-free zone on either side of high-risk roads.

We cannot just act after a tragedy occurs. It is time for the government to look at long-term solutions to prevent preventable loss of life.

— Daniel KhooUrging proactive government action on road safety.

Daniel Khoo, chairman of MCCC Pahang, stated that comprehensive preventive measures are necessary to avoid similar incidents. The proposed tree-free buffer aims to ensure that if a tree falls due to age, heavy rain, or strong winds, it will not impact the road and endanger users. "Roads like the route to Genting Highlands are used daily by thousands of vehicles, including tourists, locals, buses, and lorries. Their safety must be the priority," Khoo urged.

He emphasized that action should not be reactive. "We cannot just act after a tragedy occurs. It is time for the government to look at long-term solutions to prevent preventable loss of life," he added. The proposal suggests that if a tree falls within these designated zones, it would land in the forest area rather than on the road, significantly reducing the risk to vehicles and their occupants.

If a tree falls, it will fall into the forest area and not onto the road. This can reduce the risk of vehicles, motorcycles, or lorries becoming victims.

— Daniel KhooExplaining the benefit of the proposed tree-free zone.

Khoo clarified that the suggestion is not to cut down all trees but to assess and manage large trees within a hazardous distance of roadways, particularly in areas with high risk due to geography and frequent falling incidents. He also recommended that state governments, the Public Works Department (JKR), the Forestry Department, and local authorities conduct regular safety audits on large trees near major roads. Utilizing technology such as drones, digital mapping, and arboricultural experts could help identify trees at risk of falling before they cause disaster.

We are talking about human lives. Do not wait until more people become victims before taking firmer action.

— Daniel KhooEmphasizing the urgency of the safety proposal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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