They say it would lead to more traffic and destruction of greenery.
The Penang Island City Council is planning to cut down these trees as they were reported to be “mostly damaged”, and also to make way for a road-widening project along Jalan Loh Poh Heng.
The council is also planning to replant some of these 21 trees after the road is widened by the Public Works Department.
In a protest today, Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association (TBRA), Consumers’ Association of Penang and Penang Forum said the trees were healthy, contrary to the findings of the council’s arborist.
TBRA chairperson Meenakshi Raman said an independent arborist ought to be appointed to study the trees and determine if they can survive replanting.
Meenakshi said the trees are between 10 and 40 years old and had provided excellent shade, buffer for road noise and fresh air for the residents all these years.
She said the trees were also part of a micro-ecosystem in the area, allowing excess rainwater to be absorbed.
“Contrary to the arborist’s report, indicated by the city council, there are no signs of sickness, parasitism, wild growth or excessive leaning.
“Most of the trees are flourishing, flowering, supporting their micro-ecosystem, and planted in an orderly manner.
“Some trees do show signs of inappropriate pruning over the years but there’s no need for removal,” she said at a news conference at the affected site today.
Checks by TBRA showed the 21 trees include mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), rain trees (Samaea saman), flame of the forest (Delonix regia) and royal palms (Roystonea regia).
Penang Forum’s Kam Suan Pheng said the road-widening would only lead to more traffic spilling over to the quiet suburb from the major roads nearby.
TBRA, CAP and Penang Forum have since started a petition to prevent the council from widening Jalan Loh Poh Heng and removing trees there.
Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari said the city council had engaged the residents along Jalan Loh Poh Heng in 2015 on the matter.
He said the council had received objections and at the same time, concerns over traffic congestion.
“One of the main problems residents wanted resolved was the traffic congestion. Hence, everyone agreed to the road-widening,” he told FMT when contacted.