Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) came under electrifying criticism today from two PKR elected representatives for citing the cost factor in relation to the proposed construction of high-tension electric cable towers in Kampung Sungai Terentang, Rawang.

The duo argued that both the alternative route and underground power lines, mooted by the Selangor state government, are feasible options.

Yesterday, TNB stated that the two proposals are not technically feasible and would also increase the construction cost by millions.

rawang new village high tension tower pc 051208 gan pei nei The Rawang Action Committee against the High Tension Transmission Cable together with PKR Rawang state assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei and PKR Selayang MP William Leong called a press conference in the affected new village this morning to explain the matter.

According to Gan, a consultant appointed by the state government had completed its report and found the two proposals viable.

"The state government will invite TNB to send its experts to meet with our consultant at the proposed alternative route to compare the reports of both sides on the spot and hope to reach a solution," she told Malaysiakini .

According to a TNB study, the alternative route and underground power lines require RM70 million and RM69 million respectively while the initial route costs only RM12.2mil.

'Willing to sacrifice people's health'

However, the committee and the two elected representatives felt that the interest of the people must take precedence over profit.

"Now the issue is not technical feasibility or no land but because of money... TNB only thinks of its own profit. For a extra few million ringgit, they are willing to sacrifice the health of the people here," said Leong.

"This is why we are worried to privatise essential services. Private companies only look for profits," he added.

rawang new village high tension tower pc 051208 01 Meanwhile, Gan urged TNB to disclose the details of the construction cost, including the contractors, and explain why the alternative route will incur such a sharp increase in cost.

"TNB is collecting electricity tariff from people. So people have the right to know. We want TNB to be transparent," she said.

Vice-chairperson of the committee Lim Seng Cheong also demanded for answers in relation to the high cost.

"According to TNB, the total cost of the 60km power lines project in Selangor is RM400 million and the alternative route in Rawang is only 1.5km longer than the initial route. So why does it require RM70 million to construct?" he asked.

'Strategy to intimidate'

The towers proposed are part of TNB's central area reinforcement project (CAR) to increase power supply in the aftermath of the major blackouts in the Klang Valley in 2005.

However this was strongly objected by the villagers as 51 houses would have to be cleared and one of the towers will be built not more than 20 meters from SJK(C) Sun Yuk, the only Chinese school in the village.

rawang anti high tension cable walk 211007 walking They also fear that the electro magnetic field (EMF) generated by the power lines will adversely affect their health.

TNB chief executive officer Che Khalib Mohamad Noh yesterday warned that if the project is delayed further, it may trigger a massive blackout in Klang Valley thus turning the issue into a scenario of 'minority villagers versus national interest'.

Commenting on this, Gan described Che's statement as a ‘strategy to intimidate’ the villagers.

"TNB's stand towards the issue has been changing since 2005. The reasons given by them to reject the alternative route started from land issue, technical hurdles and now cost," she said.

According to her, the state government has done its part by gazetting the land along the alternative route.

"If TNB agrees with the alternative route, they can even start their construction now,” she said.