In order to put a full stop to the Rawang high-tension tower dispute, the Selangor government recently had hired an Australian consultation company to review the TNB high-tension tower project which runs through Rawang new village.

NONE PKR Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nee ( right in picture ), revealed at  a press conference today, that the company had scheduled a visit by a team of experts to Malaysia at the end of April.

However, Gan said, the company pulled out at the last minute on April 26 or 27, via a phone call to the Selangor government.

This sudden development has hampered the government’s effort to settle the six-year-long dispute, where villager has strongly opposed the building of a high-tension tower at their village, fearing health hazards.

Gan also revealed that during the phone call, the Australian company claimed that it is under political pressure and had been told not to cooperate with any opposition party.

“This company is a ten-year-old cable company. It also sent an email notifying the Selangor government that they are not coming. But the email didn’t mention political pressure, which was only mentioned in the phone call.”

Gan suspected that the Malaysian government may have put pressure on the company, through the Australian government.

“This is just like what happened last year during the Teoh Beng Hock inquest. Thai pathologist Pornthip had at one time decided not to come to Malaysia to testify due to political pressure.

“Actually, we just want a independent company to make a choice - whether the Rawang villagers’ proposal or TNB’s proposal is better - which is more viable considering public health, safety and economic factors.”

Alternate route proposed by villagers

The villagers had recently proposed that the cables for TNB’s high-tension tower can pass through the area without entering the new village, via a route just behind the village where there is an industrial area.  

rawang villager tnb demonstration 030907 poster The villagers also claim that their proposed route is actually the original route planned by TNB, and will be just slightly longer than in TNB’s existing plan.

When asked, Gan refused to reveal details about the Australian company, claiming that she doesn’t want the company to be affected.

Gan added that state government has been searching for an independent and professional cabling organisation for the last three years to act as a mediator between the Rawang residents and TNB.

As the Malaysian cable industry is dominated by TNB, and for  political reasons, no local eligible company has dared to accept the Selangor government’s appointment.

Gan said that the Selango government will advertise in the online media for the services of a suitable cable company, and gauge the response after a month.