The Star, Friday September 25, 2015
Residents
at the briefing with representatives from Kajang Municipal Council
(MPKj), Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Ikram Group Sdn Bhd and Selangor
Forestry Department. — LOW LAY PHON/ The Star"
Residents affected by logging
activities for the construction of the Mahkota Cheras Main Sub-Station
by Tenaga Nasional Berhad are angry that the issue was not resolved to
their satisfaction.
The pylon project that will connect transmission lines from the main Mahkota Cheras substation to the existing 275kV Serdang-Pudu Ulu and 132kV Balakong-Bandar Tun Razak lines, cuts into 45ha of the Hulu Langat Forest Reserve. The reserve is 13,000ha.
Although TNB received clearance for the project from the Selangor government, residents in the affected areas are questioning the move.
Ampang Jaya Municipal councillor and Bukit Hartamas resident Sally Sian took issue, claiming that residents were not briefed prior to the start of logging works.
“There used to be a river in the area which became our emergency
water supply during water disruptions, but now it is clogged with mud,”
she said.
Another Bukit Hartamas resident, Rosli Majid, asked what happened to
his neighbourhood as he discovered a partial landslide during his
morning walk.
“We have no objections to the project but there is no effort to monitor the area,” he said.
Taman Segar Perdana resident Foong Yong Wah questioned the reason for not using an underground route.
“Placing the cables underground has been successful in Europe and other developed countries,” he said.
Datuk Eadon Chen who lives in Bukit Hartamas, said there was no justification for cutting down a portion of the reserve forest.
“Who is going to be responsible if a landslide happens, and where is the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment studies?” he questioned.
Many residents are also worried about electromagnetic fields (EMF) affecting them because of the close proximity of the pylons to their residences.
According to TNB Transmission Department general manager Kamarol Zaman Radzak during a briefing, TNB engaged Ikram to assess the existing slopes along the transmission route.
“The transmission line is a 12.9km route from the existing transmission line and if residents find any other areas they feel are a threat, they can inform us and we will notify Ikram.
“The project is meant to assist in supplying energy for the upcoming MRT project, the Langat 2 water treatment plant project as well as provide a reliable supply of power for Cheras, Mahkota Cheras and its surrounding areas.
“If there is an incident, and after studies by Ikram and the necessary authorities have been done and TNB is at fault, then we will accept the responsibility; we are not running away,” he said, assuring residents that TNB would carry out on-ground testing to allay their EMF concern.
He said the decision by the state government not to use alternative routes came after TNB presented the pros and cons, also weighing performance of the transmission line against that of using underground cables.
“The transmission line is superior in terms of performance, it is easier to find the cause if there is a disruption, while the underground cable will take more time to repair,” he said, adding that the route did not involve building structures and surrounding lots.
Selangor Forestry Department director Dr Mohd Puat Dahalan said the logging activities would be carried out seven days a week from 8.30am to 6pm and strictly monitored.
“This is not deforestation, they are only removing a small part of the forest and once TNB has erected the lines, they will plant grass and other suitable trees in the area.
“If there is any logging activity carried out after hours without approval, should inform us and we will take action,” he said.
Despite the assurances from various authorities, the forum ended with residents from the different housing estates banding together around a coffin as a show of their discontent with, and opposition to the project.
The pylon project that will connect transmission lines from the main Mahkota Cheras substation to the existing 275kV Serdang-Pudu Ulu and 132kV Balakong-Bandar Tun Razak lines, cuts into 45ha of the Hulu Langat Forest Reserve. The reserve is 13,000ha.
Although TNB received clearance for the project from the Selangor government, residents in the affected areas are questioning the move.
Ampang Jaya Municipal councillor and Bukit Hartamas resident Sally Sian took issue, claiming that residents were not briefed prior to the start of logging works.
Kamarol briefing residents on the approved plans for erecting the transmission lines.
“We have no objections to the project but there is no effort to monitor the area,” he said.
Taman Segar Perdana resident Foong Yong Wah questioned the reason for not using an underground route.
“Placing the cables underground has been successful in Europe and other developed countries,” he said.
Datuk Eadon Chen who lives in Bukit Hartamas, said there was no justification for cutting down a portion of the reserve forest.
“Who is going to be responsible if a landslide happens, and where is the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment studies?” he questioned.
Many residents are also worried about electromagnetic fields (EMF) affecting them because of the close proximity of the pylons to their residences.
According to TNB Transmission Department general manager Kamarol Zaman Radzak during a briefing, TNB engaged Ikram to assess the existing slopes along the transmission route.
“The transmission line is a 12.9km route from the existing transmission line and if residents find any other areas they feel are a threat, they can inform us and we will notify Ikram.
“The project is meant to assist in supplying energy for the upcoming MRT project, the Langat 2 water treatment plant project as well as provide a reliable supply of power for Cheras, Mahkota Cheras and its surrounding areas.
“If there is an incident, and after studies by Ikram and the necessary authorities have been done and TNB is at fault, then we will accept the responsibility; we are not running away,” he said, assuring residents that TNB would carry out on-ground testing to allay their EMF concern.
He said the decision by the state government not to use alternative routes came after TNB presented the pros and cons, also weighing performance of the transmission line against that of using underground cables.
“The transmission line is superior in terms of performance, it is easier to find the cause if there is a disruption, while the underground cable will take more time to repair,” he said, adding that the route did not involve building structures and surrounding lots.
Selangor Forestry Department director Dr Mohd Puat Dahalan said the logging activities would be carried out seven days a week from 8.30am to 6pm and strictly monitored.
“This is not deforestation, they are only removing a small part of the forest and once TNB has erected the lines, they will plant grass and other suitable trees in the area.
“If there is any logging activity carried out after hours without approval, should inform us and we will take action,” he said.
Despite the assurances from various authorities, the forum ended with residents from the different housing estates banding together around a coffin as a show of their discontent with, and opposition to the project.
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