Teleco tower to benefit the community, says Tan Kai
KUCHING: Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Tan Kai said that the construction of a new telecommunication tower in the vicinity of Taman Supreme, Jalan Nyatoh is to benefit the community.
On Friday, some Taman Supreme residents had gathered at the site with Bandar Kuching MP Chong Cheng Jen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong to show the media a petition signed by 98 residents complaining about the construction which started on Feb 10.
“The construction of the new telecommunication tower is to serve the growing demands of telecommunication and internet users in the area. It will also improve internet speeds,” Tan Kai told a press conference at the SUPP headquarters here yesterday.
He added that the construction has nothing to do with it being in an old or new residential area as it is meant to cater to the increasing number of internet users.
Tan who is also SUPP Youth chief asked that if the radiation from such towers are harmful to health, why is it not an issue in Pulau Pinang, Selangor and Singapore where the same technology is used.
“Some of them (towers) are even erected on top of high rise buildings to collect rent,” he added.
Tan, who is also SUPP Youth chief, said that the two opposition party members have not done their homework as construction of the tower was approved by the State Planning Unit and not the Ministry of Local Government.
“Why are they accusing (Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian) him?” he asked.
On Sacofa Sdn Bhd which is constructing the tower, Tan also asked, “Are they receiving ‘gaji buta’ for more than millions in the past 10 years?”.
He also urged DAP to show ‘black and white proof’ that Sacofa have agreed to stop and shift the construction of the tower elsewhere as claimed by Yong.
In response to last Friday’s petition, Sacofa Sdn Bhd have published a half page advertorial citing the research on the low radio frequency energy emitted from such towers.
“I would also like to clarify that we are not defending Sacofa in this but we are concerned for the people suffering from slow internet connections,” Tan said.