GEORGE TOWN: Several giant Casuarina trees that have lined Batu Ferringhi beach since the 1950s have fallen since Friday under the hammering of spring tides. Anas said once mature coastal trees were destroyed by erosion, no amount of future landscaping could restore what was lost. In recent years, hotel operators and local businesses had repeatedly raised concerns over severe beach erosion in Batu Ferringhi, with various mitigation measures reportedly undertaken. The Star first reported visible signs of beach erosion at Batu Ferringhi in April 2021. Despite these measures, erosion worsened.

Source: The Star January 25, 2026 01:19 UTC