LUMUT, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Management of trees along federal roads falls under the responsibility of local authorities (PBT), but the Public Works Department (JKR) and maintenance concessionaires are ready to work with PBTs to improve road safety, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan.
He said the matter is stipulated under Section 101(b) of the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), which empowers PBTs to plant, prune or remove trees within their administrative areas, including trees located on federal road reserves within PBT jurisdictions.
"I am not trying to shirk responsibility, but we are referring to the court's decision (in reference to a request for legal opinion on the control of tree planting along federal road reserves). It is not JKR's responsibility to plant trees. We only have road furniture and road signage along the roadsides, not trees.
"I want to clarify that under our concession agreements, there is no provision for cutting down trees unless a tree has already fallen. Only then can it be cleared. That is the condition under the concession agreement," he said when met during a working visit to the Manjung District Engineer's Office here today.
He was commenting on a media report quoting Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, who urged JKR and maintenance concession companies to strengthen cooperation with certified experts to conduct periodic technical assessments of mature trees and slopes along federal roads following an incident in which four family members were killed by a falling tree along the FT68 Bentong-Kuala Lumpur Old Road last Sunday.
Meanwhile, during the working visit, Ahmad received briefings on the organisational structure, functions of various divisions and the progress of ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects in the Manjung district.
He stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and close cooperation between the Ministry of Works (KKR), Perak JKR and the district JKR to ensure that every project and maintenance work is carried out according to the required specifications, schedule and allocation.
"This visit reflects KKR's commitment to ensuring that the delivery of technical services and implementation of infrastructure development at the district level continue to be strengthened, thereby providing maximum benefits to the people.
"KKR will continue to strengthen monitoring and coordination with JKR at all levels to ensure the country's public infrastructure remains at its best, safe and comfortable for public use," he said.
"I am not trying to shirk responsibility, but we are referring to the court's decision (in reference to a request for legal opinion on the control of tree planting along federal road reserves). It is not JKR's responsibility to plant trees. We only have road furniture and road signage along the roadsides, not trees.
"I want to clarify that under our concession agreements, there is no provision for cutting down trees unless a tree has already fallen. Only then can it be cleared. That is the condition under the concession agreement," he said when met during a working visit to the Manjung District Engineer's Office here today.
He was commenting on a media report quoting Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, who urged JKR and maintenance concession companies to strengthen cooperation with certified experts to conduct periodic technical assessments of mature trees and slopes along federal roads following an incident in which four family members were killed by a falling tree along the FT68 Bentong-Kuala Lumpur Old Road last Sunday.
Meanwhile, during the working visit, Ahmad received briefings on the organisational structure, functions of various divisions and the progress of ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects in the Manjung district.
He stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and close cooperation between the Ministry of Works (KKR), Perak JKR and the district JKR to ensure that every project and maintenance work is carried out according to the required specifications, schedule and allocation.
"This visit reflects KKR's commitment to ensuring that the delivery of technical services and implementation of infrastructure development at the district level continue to be strengthened, thereby providing maximum benefits to the people.
"KKR will continue to strengthen monitoring and coordination with JKR at all levels to ensure the country's public infrastructure remains at its best, safe and comfortable for public use," he said.