PKR: TNB the culprit if Klang Valley power disrupts
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will be the real culprit if there is a power disruption in Klang Valley, PKR says.
This is because the government-linked company insists on building its 275KV high tension transmission towers through Kampung Sungai Terentang in Rawang, which is delaying the Central Reinforcement Area (CAR) project.
"Our answer is that the delay is caused by TNB itself for insisting on CAR going through Kampung Sungai Kerentang," PKR treasurer-general William Leong told a press conference today.
Leong
(left)
was responding to the statement made by TNB vice-president Rozimi Remeli yesterday.
Bernama quoted Rozimi as saying that Selangor and Kuala Lumpur would face a power crisis if the state continues to put the brakes on the company's CAR project.
Meanwhile, the Selangor government has urged TNB to work with it in finding a solution.
“The state government hopes that everyone can give cooperation and support, including TNB and the Kampung Sungai Terentang residents and avoid politicising the matter,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
While he understands that TNB needs to hasten the CAR project for commercial reasons, Khalid said, Selangor must prioritise the people's well-being.
“Thus, the government is reviewing all possible options that could benefit both TNB and the locals,” he said in a statement.
‘Consider the proposed alternative routes’
Leong, along with Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei, urged TNB to cooperate with the Pakatan Rakyat government of Selangor and the villagers, and to consider the three alternative routes proposed by the Australian consultant hired by the state government.
He said TNB was giving priority to the cost of the project, not to the safety of the villagers.
Accidents, such as a tower collapse, could occur and the villagers would be hurt should the CAR project run through Kampung Sungai Terentang.
“TNB should consider the alternative routes and work with the state government and the villagers to complete the CAR project, instead of opposing the alternative routes.
“The technology is there... it is just the question of cost,” Leong added.
Among the alternatives suggested is a route running between the village and nearby factories, one along the Federal Highway and another thorough Kampung Sungai Terentang, but with the cables running underground.
According to the consultant, Leong said, the first alternative route suggested would cost RM11.09 million, while the cost of the second and third would be RM17.05 million and RM226.25 million respectively.
‘TNB threatening the state government’
While the cost of the original route is RM18.64 million, Leong is puzzled as to why TNB was refusing to look into the alternatives, which were cheaper.
“This is also the question that we need to ask TNB…Each time we come out with a proposal on alternative routes, TNB always has technical and costing reasons to oppose it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gan also slammed Rozimi for threatening state government and accused him of trying to shirk TNB’s responsibilities to the state government and the villagers.
“TNB is a government-linked company and it therefore has the social responsibility to address the health issues of the people,” Gan said.
She said this issue was not something new since it has been raised since 2005, but TNB has always refused to work out an amenable solution with the respective parties.
Gan urged Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin to make a site visit personally to sort out the issue.
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