By Malaysiakini
About 100 Cameron Highlands residents have filed a negligence suit against Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for causing the flash flood on Oct 23, 2013 through the release of water from the dam.
They are seeking special damages in excess of RM2 million, in addition to aggravated, general and exemplary damages.
The suit was filed by lawyer M Manogaran, who contested the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat in the 2013 general election but lost.
The flood following the release of water from the dam resulted in four deaths, three of which involved foreign workers.
The incident happened when the Sultan Abu Bakar dam water was released before it had reached its critical level.
The residents claimed that TNB, which manages the hydrostation that oversees the dam, had failed to give ample or effective warnings before releasing the water into the Bertam river three times and consequently into the Bertam Valley.
The water was released at 12.20am, 1am and 2.45am on the night of Oct 23.
No compensation
The residents claimed that the dam was built in such a way that when the critical water level was reached, the water would be released automatically.
They also contended that the dam could hold 5 million cubic metres of water and the release of such huge amounts of water would endanger the residents at Bertam Valley, which is located about 18km away.
They also claimed TNB failed to make sure the dam was clean before filling it up with 5 million cubic metres of water.
The residents also alleged that the utility failed to abide by its statutory duty with regards to the maintenance of the Sultan Abu Bakar dam.
Manogaran told reporters after the filing the suit that TNB did not pay any compensation to the affected residents.
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