Family in China seeking S$517,000 in damages after falling tree kills father & daughter in Penang in 2024

Two tourists, a father and daughter pair from China, died in Penang, Malaysia, on Sep. 18, 2024, when the car they were in was crushed by a tree that got uprooted in the Pinang Peranakan Mansion parking lot.

On Jan. 10, The Star reported that the family in China is demanding RM1.7 million (S$517,309) in damages for their deaths.

The lawyer, Ng Kian Nam, told The Star that the family is suing the museum, its proprietor, the tree owner, the local tourist agency, and the tour guide the pair engaged during their trip.

"The family has authorised us to also write to the Penang Island City Council to seek an explanation why it only issued a notice of nuisance under the Local Government Act 1976 to the tree owner after the incident but not before that; and whether the said parties had submitted any official complains (sic) to the council of the risk of the tree falling."

Main breadwinners

The Star identified the victims as Liu Zhu, 69, and his daughter Liu Xinxin, 36.

The lawyer said the father was a retiree receiving a retirement pension of RM2,000 (S$608), and the daughter was earning a monthly salary of RM 7,700 (S$2,341), making them the main breadwinners of the family.

"As such (the family) wishes to claim apology and total damages of RM1.7 million (S$517,309) against these parties in general and special damages."

Ng told The Star that he took on the case on a pro bono and public-interest basis "to increase awareness of the importance of maintaining the safety of public areas in Malaysia and to uphold Penang's tourism reputation."

Video of incident

A video of the incident showed a woman taking a photo of the mansion before going to the car.

At that time, another car was making its way out of the site via the single-lane gate.

A car to the right of the victims' car was also seen with occupants inside.

A number of people were walking around the compound near the vehicles, but had moved away just before the tree fell.

The tree branches and leaves could be seen shaking intensely due to the wind before falling over.

A nearby building was also damaged.

There were hundreds of fallen trees in over 130 locations in Penang since two days earlier due to heavy storms.

Top photos via Penang Kini