Nga said the cost to maintain each tree is quite high, Berita Harian reported.

“Therefore, we are always looking for ways with our strategic partners, including those in the private sector and other groups, to address the issue,” he was quoted as saying.

“From the ministry’s side, we will continue to allocate funds to assist the local authorities in order to ensure the health of the trees under their jurisdiction is always maintained.”

He was asked to comment on the efforts to maintain and identify trees at risk of falling only when a rainstorm has happened. 

Recent weeks have seen instances of trees falling after heavy rainstorms, with the most notable incident being the one on Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, which killed a motorist and injured two others in an e-hailing vehicle.

Nga said it was also important to preserve older trees as they are considered to be valuable national heritage.

“A prime example is the rain trees at the Taiping Lake Gardens. Each tree is estimated to have a market value of RM2 million to RM3 million. Each tree is insured to ensure it does not fall,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nga also encouraged local authorities to employ arborists to improve landscape management in each municipal area, Bernama reported.

He called council employees involved in landscaping work to attend arborist courses organised by the national landscape department to ensure this goal is achieved.

According to Nga, the initiative to employ arborists should be accompanied by efforts to streamline tree inventory in their respective administrative areas.

“For instance, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) already has an inventory, so they know which trees, what type and whether they are healthy or need to be pruned according to schedule.

“Tree health care, maintenance and inventory are crucial, especially for older trees,” he said.