The Kuala Lumpur High Court convened on 29 May to hear the assessment of damages of the Bertam Valley Flood case, of 11 victims attended the hearing. Following the hearing, the treasurer of the Bertam Valley Relief Committee Lim Lai Ping, and the Tanah Rata State Assemblyman Ho Chi Yang, called on Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to cease further delays and expedite compensation for the victims, with the hope of putting a stop to further torturing the victims.
In 2018, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that TNB was negligent in managing the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands. The dam had released water three times on the night of Oct 23, 2013, resulting in the unprecedented flood disaster that cost 4 lives and brought about severe damage to the community. After exhausting all avenues of appeal, TNB’s final appeal was dismissed by a three-judge panel of the Federal Court in 2019, which ruled that TNB must pay for the flood damages to the victims.
Lim Lai Ping, the treasurer of the Bertam Valley Relief Committee, noted that eleven years have passed since the disaster and six years since the court ruled that TNB must compensate the victims. However, after years of struggle and mental torture, the victims are still waiting for compensation.
Lim added that several elderly victims among the 100 plaintiffs had passed away, while many others were still traumatized by the devastating tragedy. The victims long for the day when true justice is served and they finally receive their rightful compensation.
“After TNB lost the case and exhausted all avenues of appeal, everyone thought the entire case was resolved. However, it appeared that TNB continued to resort to legal avenues to delay the process instead of engaging in sincere discussions to give compensation to the victims. TNB’s actions deeply disheartened us. We hope the public does not forget the tragedy, for our justice has yet to arrive.
Meanwhile, Tanah Rata State Assemblyman Ho Chi Yang, said that the 11 victims, one of which were over 80 years old, took an 8-hour round trip between the court and Cameron Highlands because they were very concerned about the progress and hoped to see the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and what’s more, the victims have been waiting for eleven years. As such, I once again call upon TNB, as a large GLC and listed company, to proactively negotiate with the victims’ lawyers and promptly compensate to resolve the case, rather than prolonging the victims’ mental and emotional suffering.”