Telco towers safe, radiation-free

KUALA LUMPUR: All telecommunication towers and structures in the country are safe and free from radiation as their construction had adhered to the set international safety practices and standards.

Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Eddin Syazlee Shith, in giving this assurance, said the government had ensured that all these telecommunication facilities abide by the stipulated specific absorption rate (SAR) and electromagnetic frequency standards, effective November 2011.

“To date, 20,023 telecommunication structures are in operation across the country.”

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also been collaborating with the Malaysia Nuclear Agency in conducting compliance tests on radiation levels of radio frequency from the telecommunication structures.

"Several radiation tests have been carried out to obtain accurate information to allay fear among the public over radiation,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat, here, yesterday.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) on the public's perception and concern over the health risk posed by the telecommunication towers.

Eddin Syazlee said with cooperation from the Health Ministry, public health campaigns were held, including the distribution of pamphlets on the radiation problem.

"If there is continued fear over this issue, the MCMC will have direct engagements with the complainants,” he added. Bernama