Lock the feeder pillars, TNB urged

Out in the open: One of the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) feeder pillars in Taman Segambut, Kuala Lumpur which is accessible to thieves as it is not locked. (Photo from http://www.chinapress.com.my)

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/5/8/central/11242049&sec=central (By S. PUSPADEVI, 8/5/2012)

RESIDENTS of Taman Bamboo in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, want Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to lock the feeder pillars in the area immediately.

Resident Mah Eng Seng, 50, said this was to prevent theft of TNB fuse links. “I have witnessed two motorists disconnecting the fuse links from a feeder pillar at a playground near my house last month. Mah said he and his neighbour had reported the incident to TNB and the police.

“Is it not a standard safety requirement to lock the feeder pillars in a residential area? he asked. He added that it was unsafe due to the high voltage and posed a danger to children. “We have reported to TNB and the police, but all they did was take our statements,” said Mah. He said the residents had no electricity supply for more than 12 hours following the incident, although they had reported the matter immediately to the authorities.

Another resident Selva Govindan, 56, said the feeder pillars should be locked to prevent children from being electrocuted as it contained high voltage. “TNB should take immediate action to lock it and only TNB officers or personnel can have access to it,” said Selva.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said a similar incident occurred in Taman Segambut on Labour Day affecting more than 30 shoplots in the area. “Fortunately the incident took place on Labour Day and not on a working day. However, power supply only resumed at 10.30pm and affected the business of a cafe,” said Lim.

He said his office had received similar complaints from residents of Taman City, Taman Sri Segambut, Taman Sri Sinar and Taman Tun Dr Ismail for the past three years. “The culprits know how to disconnect the fuse links,” he added.

Lim said based on a report by The Star on Dec 4, 2006, TNB’s statistics showed that 437 of such thefts were recorded in 2006 compared with 175 in 2005. “I am sure that these figures have increased over the years and I don’t understand how TNB can allow this to happen,” said Lim, adding that he would write to them requesting for the latest statistics and seek the best solution to solve the problem.

Lim also said he had received numerous complaints from motorists on the flooding problem on the flyover from Jalan Kuching to Jalan Duta. “Motorists taking the flyover from Jalan Kuching to Jalan Duta are stuck in massive traffic jams due to the floods and this has been going on for the past few years,” said Lim. He said the cause could be due to the ongoing construction work on the Sri Putramas Condominium project and clogged drains in the area.

“This area is under DBKL’s jurisdiction and since the problem persists, they should do something about it,” he added.