NGO calls for public hearing on hazards of telco towers

Article at thestar.com.my
Monday December 14, 2009

Residents sating at the Ong Si Thye Guan Tong building on Macallum Street, Penang, protesting against the erecting of telco towers above their dwelling place.

A NON-governmental organisation (NGO) has urged the Penang Government to crack down on illegal telecommunication towers in the state.

Penang Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) Telco Alliance secretary Ong Bee Lay said towers should also not be allowed near hospitals, schools, public parks and housing areas.

“We want the state to conduct a public hearing on the health hazards of such towers and remove all the illegal structures immediately.”

Ong was speaking at a press conference at Macallum Street on Thursday.

“The residents here are protesting against another new tower being erected here. As it is, there are already eight existing ones in the area.

“There are 30 families living in this housing estate and many have complained of sleepless nights, lethargy and even cancer. We believe these are ailments related to the towers,” she said.

In October, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said telecommunication companies had until June 30 next year to obtain the licences to build the towers before they were removed by the authorities.