MPSP councillors 'misleading' on telco towers

Susan Loone
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 27, 10
12:28pm


The Penang Electromagnetic Fields Radiation Protection Alliance has condemned claims by two Seberang Perai municipal councillors that broadband internet connection devices do not emit radiation that is hazardous to health.

According to the Alliance's spokesperson Dr Thor Teong Ghee (right), the recent statement by the councillors – Soon Lip Chee and Oon Neow Aun - were “totally misleading and ignorant” about radio frequency radiation.

Thor, a medical doctor, said the devices for wireless telecommunications and internet connection on telco towers are known as basic transceiver stations, that emit radio frequency radiation, a well-known health hazard.

“We want both councillors to tell us from where or from whom they are told that broadband internet connection will not bring negative health effects to public but only radiation from telco towers will?” asked Thor, in a press conference in Penang.

“We want further clarification from both the councillors and perhaps an apology for their public statement which is misleading,” added Thor, who is state Gerakan publicity, information and communication chief.

Thor was referring to an incident on Nov 23 where two of the Alliance's representatives - David Chua and Sum Yoo Keong - attended a protest by residents in Permatang Tengah, Seberang Perai Utara over the construction of several telco structures within the vicinity of a residential area.

The next day, councillors Soon and Oon condemned the Alliance duo for creating public panic among the residents.

The councillors had justified the structures saying they were for broadband internet connection and that only structures on telco towers emit radiation, while the devices that are meant for broadband do not.

Raising public awareness

Meanwhile, Thor also announced that the group is organising a conference in Penang on Friday Dec 3 entitled “Electromagnetic fields and the public: EMF standards and estimation of risk”.

At the event at SJK (C) Shang Wu from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, German bio-resonance technology expert Dr Dietmar Heimes will speak on 'The influences and side effects of EMF radiation to human body'.

Thor himself will give an introduction to the electromagnetic field radiation in relation to human health.

The group has been actively campaigning to raise awareness on the health hazards of radiation since the state's plan to erect hundreds of telco towers on the island and mainland by year's end.

At the height of the controversy early this year, Jelutong (DAP) parliamentarian Jeff Ooi Chuan Aik had steadfastly defended the “approved” safety limits despite the Alliance's constant criticism.

Ooi, who is also PDC Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd chairperson, had in turn attacked his critics by questioning their credentials and accused them of trying undermine the state's efforts to promote the wireless project, to the point of waving the Sedition Act against them.