Kuching North mayor Dato Hilmy Othman said DBKU was handling the transplantation exercise and working with other agencies to identify relocation sites. Some trees could not be saved because of their age and deteriorated condition, The Borneo Post reported on Oct 17.

The tree-management work is preparation for the highway project, rather than a sign that the new road has been completed. For people living along the northern Kuching corridor, the next practical details will be the exact clearance dates and any traffic arrangements; neither timetable was given in the report.

Hilmy gave the update on Oct 16 at Darul Husnul Khatimah Mosque during a ceremony marking the completion of upgrading works on Jalan Tan Sri Abang Ikhwan Zaini. He said DBKU would also explore flowering plants and potted trees to further beautify that road, subject to securing funding.