By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ | Dec 8, 2009

Up in arms over TNB plan

We object!: The residents protesting against the proposal to have a high-voltage cable passing through their area.

FEARING landslides and high-voltage electrocution, residents of several neighbourhoods in Taman Segar, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur are against a plan by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to have high-voltage cables passing through the area.

The residents of Taman Bukit Segar 1, 2 and 3, Cheras Hartamas, Cengal Apartments and Danau Mas are concerned that the project might disturb the hillslopes in the area on which the pylons carrying the 275kv high-tension cables will be built.

Taman Bukit Segar Jaya residents association secretary Richard Ng said the proposed project would require pylons to be erected on the steep hillslopes.

Pointing out that the hillslopes in the area had been identified to be high-risk, Ng said it would not be wise to have the pylons built by or on the slopes.

He said the construction might disturb the soil and trigger landslides.

“Even if a landslide does not occur during construction, it may occur at a later stage, particularly during the rainy season. Should a landslide occur, it would be an unthinkable calamity.

“The pylons would fall towards the residential homes due to the slope angle, pulling with them the high tension wires, which will make contact with wet soil and water.

“If the residents are not buried by the landslide, they would be faced with high-voltage electrocution,” he said at a press conference in Taman Bukit Segar 2 on Saturday.

Instead of the proposed transmission route, the residents feel there is another cheaper, safer and more reliable route that TNB should consider. They have outlined the alternative route in a memorandum that will be submitted to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Ng said the current route proposed by TNB was 12km long while the residents’ proposed route was just within 3km radius.

“We are not here just to highlight the danger of the powerline; we also have a cheaper and safer alternative. This is to make it clear that we are not against development, but we do think that any company or corporation that is carrying out development must have corporate responsibility towards the community,” he added.

Also present at the event was Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee.

Lee, who will be presenting the memorandum to Khalid, said the issue had been going on for the last one year.

“I have been trying, over the last several months, to arrange a meeting with TNB to learn more about the project but TNB has not been cooperative in entertaining this request. Since this project is for the people and involves the people, they have the right to know what is happening. There is nothing to hide,” she said.

On another matter, Lee is seeking volunteers to be part of a team set up by her office to look into the Ampang Jaya City Council (MPAJ) Town Planning 2020 draft plan.

“We are seeking individuals and professionals to look into the plans. We have until February to voice our grouses on the plan,” she added.

Those interested can e-mail her at yinghalee@gmail.com.