BY STUART MICHAEL

Some of the chopped pine trees along Jalan Desa Utama at Bandar Country Homes, Rawang.

SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) will plant Merawan trees at Bandar Country Homes in Rawang to replace the old pine trees that were felled in the township earlier this month.

Council Landscape Department director Mokhtar Affandi Abdul Ghani said 250 of the species would be planted next month.

He said the species was selected as its roots would grow deep underground without destroying roads and drains.

Dozens of pine trees, iconic to the township, along Jalan Desa Utama, were chopped down, causing an uproar among the residents.

Some of them said the trees, which were more than 20 years old, provided shade from the sun while others claimed that the trees were cut without consulting residents.

“A few months ago, the council received many complaints from residents, especially motorists, on pine tree branches falling on the main road during heavy rain.

“After our investigation, we found that the trees that were cut were too old, close to about 27 years, and they had far exceeded their lifespan.

“Many of the trees are rotten or rotting and we fear for the residents’ safety if they were to fall on motorists or on a playground nearby,” said Mokhtar Affandi.

Businessman Sarvashwaran Thangavellu, 53, who lives at Jalan Desa 4/12, said when he called the council to enquire about the felled trees, he was told that new trees would be planted.

“Twenty years ago, many residents bought their homes here because of the beautiful scenery as pine trees were located along the main road.

"MPS should not cut them down but just trim them so that they can grow once again.

“MPS has chopped the trees right up to their base, not allowing them to grow anymore,” he said.

Bandar Country Homes Residents Association (BCHRA) president Soong Beng Khoon felt sad that the trees were cut as the trees gave meaning to country living in the township.

“How can we say we live in the countryside if there are no pine trees left in the area,” he said, adding that MPS should have consulted residents before taking such drastic action.

“After some pine trees were chopped down along Jalan Desa Utama a few weeks ago, I have not seen any planting of new trees in the township.

“If MPS is replanting trees, they should inform residents, including how long it would take to replant them,” he added.

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