Sacofa to inspect tower at school compound
If the tower is in compliance with all authorities and requirements, I don’t think it should be relocated because it is there to provide maximum coverage. It will remain there. Ahmad Fuad Abdul Kadir, Sacofa Sdn Bhd Engineering head
KUCHING: Sacofa Sdn Bhd has agreed to carry out a technical inspection on a telecommunications tower erected at SK Bintawa’s compound.
Engineering head Ahmad Fuad Abdul Kadir also promised more discussions would be held with residents in the area, who are against the tower for aesthetic reasons and due to their fears of possible health risks.
“If the tower is in compliance with all authorities and requirements, I don’t think it should be relocated because it is there to provide maximum coverage.
“It will remain there,” he told The Borneo Post following a public talk at the Kuching South City Council auditorium yesterday.
“We have invited the residents for a joint survey to measure the (distance of) tower to show and prove to them that it complies with the setback levels set by the SPA ( State Planning Authority).”
The talk, which aimed to dispel myths and misconceptions around telecommunications towers, was held in collaboration with the Malaysian Nuclear Agency ( MNA) and CISSPR Sdn Bhd – a leading electromagnetic compatibility electromagnetic field ( EMF) and Radio Frequency ( RF) services and solutions provider.
During the talk, a group of residents became involved in a heated exchange over the safety of telecommunication towers.
In response, Ahmad Fuad said enhanced communication through various mediums is necessary to promote facts and discourage misconceptions.
“We will conduct more engagement and communication with the public not only in urban areas but rural as well to enhance the awareness of this matter.
“We will deal with it on a daytoday basis,” he said.
Sacofa head of legal, regulatory and compliance Si Kiang Seng
said facts and knowledge shared during the talk should help ease the public’s fears.
“I think it will take a while for people to grasp the concept that this is radio frequency and not radiation.
“Most issues are on the location of telco towers but they are built in compliance of requirements,” he said.
“We will work on means and ways to help people better understand the technical side of things.”
Kuching South Mayor Datuk James Chan applauded Sacofa for being transparent and discussing the public’s concerns.
“These are our common concerns. We are only normal people and can’t blame us for being anxious particularly when it comes to health,” he said at close of the session.
“I hope Sacofa can hear them ( public) out and take serious consideration of their opinions when planning for projects so we can minimise a lot of criticism later.”