PENAMPANG rate-payers risk becoming RM1,000 poorer if they allow the greenery growing on their respective properties to become a source of frustration to the public.
A spokeswoman for the Town Council said this was the maximum fine which could be imposed under the Local Government Ordinance 1961 (Amendment 2000) if they were found guilty in court.
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“Alternatively, the magistrate may require the wrongdoers to serve up to six months behind bars for failing to tend to the greenery on the undeveloped property,” she said.
“In the worst-case scenario, they could be slapped with both a fine and a jail term.”
She said those convicted could also find themselves liable to a further fine of RM100 for every day the offence persisted.
She said legal action was only initiated in extreme cases against rate-payers who wilfully disregarded the agency’s notices to keep their yards in good order.
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Those staying in landed properties had every right to beautify their compounds with trees and other plants, according to her.
“They should, however, maintain their greenery at regular intervals.”
She advised homeowners to look after these trees and plants by trimming any overgrown branches, especially those extending beyond their fences, and making sure they did not become diseased or unsightly.
“In this way, their greenery will be less of a public nuisance or danger.”
She said the Council’s Landscaping Division periodically maintained the trees growing in common areas under the authority’s care.
“Those identified as posing a risk to the public are pruned or, in some cases, felled by our personnel.”
A total of 31 trees at 11 locations, including road shoulders and playgrounds around Penampang, were attended to between June 4 and June 30, according to her.
“An open truck and a Sky Master vehicle were deployed to facilitate this effort.”
She said a team of eight Landscaping Division workers trimmed trees growing along roads in Oriental Park Phase 2, Taman Putra Pogun, Taman Starland and Taman Reservoir.
In addition, the long branches hanging over several stretches in Taman Eaton Square and Taman Millennium Heights were pruned to prevent them from scratching the tops of vehicles passing beneath the greenery.
“They also went to Taman Sahabat and Taman Grace Cottage, where they attended to the greenery in the playgrounds, besides removing dead trees from parts of Oriental Park Phase 7 and Taman Friendly Baru.”
Additionally, she said, the team attended to an unkempt open space in Taman Rodamas.
“We are planning to reduce the size of the canopies of several trees around Penampang to minimise the likelihood of them being blown down during strong winds and heavy rain.”
The spokeswoman said rate-payers who treated drain and road reserves as their private gardens were obliged to maintain the greenery there.
“They should look after their plants and trees. This means pruning them and making sure they do not become diseased or unsightly. In this way, their greenery will not become a public nuisance or danger.”
She said this advice also applied to flower pots placed in the common areas around residential and commercial properties.
“When it comes to road shoulders and five-foot ways, rate-payers should use suitable potted plants.
“By ‘suitable,’ we mean greenery that does not have thorns and does not obstruct the view of drivers or get in the way of pedestrians when fully grown.”
