By Peraktastic Correspondent
IPOH: Just two days into the new year, which also began with a major national event, the Visit Malaysia Year 2026, celebrated grandly yesterday, there is already unpleasant news being shared among the residents of Ipoh.
This concerns the city’s iconic tree, the Ipoh tree planted in front of the Ipoh KTM Railway Station.
The Ipoh tree now resembles a dead stump, with only bare branches left and no leaves, raising questions about whether the tree has been properly maintained.
Ipoh Echo / Peraktastic has chosen not to comment at length on the public complaints received since yesterday, instead leaving the matter to be addressed by the responsible authorities.
Looking back, the iconic Ipoh tree in front of the Ipoh KTM Station once made newspaper headlines when the original tree fell on 28 April 2017 due to heavy rain and strong winds, after standing for 37 years.
However, the Perak state government replanted a new sapling at the same location on 21 February 2018, carried out by the then Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
This replanting was intended as a new symbol of the city of Ipoh, marking the restoration of this natural heritage after the new sapling was planted by the Menteri Besar at that time.
The tree is an important symbol of the name of the city of Ipoh, known scientifically as Antiaris toxicaria, and it has become a popular spot for photography.
Quoting a statement by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir after officiating the planting, he said that it was hoped the newly planted tree would continue to grow well and become a symbol of the City of Ipoh.
He added that the state government, particularly the Ipoh City Council (MBI), would also continue to give attention to making Ipoh a clean and well-organised city.
“Weaknesses in several aspects, especially the existing landscape, will be improved and further beautified.
“Through cooperation with MBI, we are also taking the approach of planting more trees that are native to our own country,” he said.
