City Hall identifies 19 firms for KL tree maintenance contracts

KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has offered two-year contracts to 19 tree maintenance contractors assigned to parliamentary constituencies in the city.

DBKL advisory board member Lai Chen Heng told StarMetro that the contracts would run from June 15 to June 14, 2026.

“Each contractor will be paid RM1mil per year,” he said.

According to him, there are two contractors each in the constituencies of Kepong, Batu, Bandar Tun Razak, Bukit Bintang, Lembah Pantai and Seputeh; three in Segambut; and one each in Cheras, Setiawangsa, Titiwangsa and Wangsa Maju.

Lai: Determining factor is the number of trees in each area.Lai said DBKL offered the contracts after a meeting with MP representatives and 21 tree maintenance contractors including arborists, on June 7.

On May 29, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced on X (formerly Twitter) that DBKL would be assigning contractors to each constituency.

When contacted by StarMetro, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng’s assistant Cremund Tan, who attended the meeting, said DBKL did not explain in detail its criteria for selecting the contractors and determining the allocation for each constituency.

“Tree conditions vary across different constituencies.

“Some places have trees that are very huge and old, which require special attention.

“DBKL should have engaged more with the MPs, who would know their constituencies better.

“City Hall should also have conducted thorough case-by-case study on every constituency before appointing the contractors,” said Cremund.

Echoing the sentiment, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s personal assistant Alice Lan said two contractors were insufficient to cover tree maintenance works in Kok’s constituency.

“DBKL should have had more engagement with MPs on policy and decision-making, especially on issues concerning residents,” she said.

Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association chairman Tan Booi Charn also questioned DBKL’s determination of contractor numbers.

“Is it based on the number of trees in the constituencies or are there other factors at play?

“The timing of the contract execution is also quite hasty,” said Booi Charn.

“Has DBKL done a thorough evaluation before appointing the contractors?

“Why were non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not invited to the meeting on a matter concerning public safety?”

In response, Lai clarified that City Hall’s plan was to place a maximum of four contractors in each constituency and that the main determining factor was the number of trees per area.

He added that NGOs’ feedback was welcomed.