As Malaysia prepares for the onset of the Northeast Monsoon, authorities and experts are calling attention to significant challenges in the country’s urban tree management systems. The monsoon, which typically brings heavy rainfall from November through March, has historically caused severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and widespread tree failures, particularly affecting the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sarawak, and eastern Sabah.
The Fire and Rescue Department recently disclosed alarming figures on tree-related incidents, noting that between 4,400 and 5,200 cases of tree failures have occurred annually nationwide over recent years. In the first half of 2026 alone, 1,912 such incidents were reported, leading to four fatalities and 20 injuries. From 2021 to mid-2026, a total of 26,001 tree failure incidents resulted in 50 deaths, 243 injuries, and 360 rescues of victims unharmed.
Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, director-general of the Fire and Rescue Department, has urged local authorities and property owners to implement regular tree safety audits, especially in vulnerable locations such as major roadways, schools, hospitals, parks, and crowded public areas. These calls emphasize the ongoing risks posed by insufficient urban tree management in high-traffic and densely populated zones.
Responding to these concerns, Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Hajah Aiman Athirah Sabu advocated in 2024 for all local councils to employ at least one certified arborist by 2030 to oversee tree management efforts. Currently, Malaysia has 171 certified arborists, although many are not actively engaged in routine arboricultural practices or risk assessments. A significant portion works in academia or focus primarily on administrative duties within local government.
Efforts to expand the arborist workforce have fallen short of government targets. A 2018 initiative aimed to increase the number of certified arborists to 450 by 2020, but after eight years, the number has only risen from 109 to 171. This shortfall highlights a critical gap in the capacity to effectively manage urban trees across the country.
To bridge this gap, the Malaysian Society of Arborists recently hosted the International Tropical Arboriculture Conference (Intac) 2026 in Seberang Perai, Penang, gathering over 300 professionals, including arborists, urban planners, policymakers, researchers, and landscape architects. Discussions focused on advancing tropical arboriculture through science-based practices, policy development, climate adaptation strategies, and technological innovations.
Notably, there is growing interest in leveraging artificial intelligence and remote-sensing technologies to enhance tree monitoring and risk management, offering potential solutions to the current shortage of skilled arborists.
The recurrent threat of severe weather events from the Northeast Monsoon underscores the urgent need for structural improvements in tree management and natural disaster preparedness. Experts stress that adopting multidisciplinary approaches and modern technologies is essential to safeguarding lives and infrastructure as the nation confronts increasingly challenging environmental conditions.