By STUART MICHAEL | Jan 23, 2009

Court rules in favour of villagers

We did it: The villagers raising their hands at the hall

A FOUR-year long battle involving the High Tension Tower in Kampung Sungai Terentang in Rawang came to an end after the court ruled in favour of the people. On Wednesday, the villagers succeeded in getting an injunction to stop Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) from building a 275kV transmission line through their new village.

On June 21, 2007, TNB issued notices to 51 residents of the new village informing them of the line.

As the residents of the affected homes refused to accept any compensation from TNB, a court battle ensued.

Selayang MP William Leong said the group gathered 12,000 signatures fearing that TNB might push their weight around by encroaching upon the village.

“The villagers stood firm and took the matter to court.

“Although the villagers have won the appeal, TNB can still appeal to the Federal Court within 30 days if they have new findings but that is unlikely.

“TNB has to remove the transmission line and take an alternative route or place the cables underground as suggested by the state government,’’ added Leong, who attended a press conference at the Kampung Sungai Terentang multipurpose hall in Rawang yesterday.

Rawang assemblyman Gan Pei Nei, who was present together with William to deliver the good news to the villagers, was happy to see the smiles on the faces of villagers.

“Finally, justice has been served. And I hope that TNB will take our suggestion,’’ said Gan. In an unanimous decision, Court of Appeal Justice Suriyadi Halim Omar, who led a three-men panel, ruled that TNB had no legal right to enter the village and build the transmission line.