Installation of telco tower stopped due to objection from residents
MIRI: The erection of a telecommunication tower at a recreational park in Taman Delight here has been halted yesterday on instructions from the authorities.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting said he was shocked to discover that the contractor of the project proceeded to complete the installation of the tower on Tuesday even though it had been stopped last year.
According to Ting, over a year ago, he went to the location of the tower with the contractor involved as well as the general manager of Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMS), Dr Zaidi Razak.
“Upon discussion, the decision made was to stop work because of the strong objection of the people and residents there.
“But I was surprised yesterday (Tuesday) a er receiving information from one of our councillors that the contractor had come and completed the tower and will be coming back today to put in signals and wiring,” he said.
Following the information, Ting said he contacted Dr Zaidi on the ma er and immediately stopped the work from being continued.
He said residents there were worried about the effect of the tower on their health and sought his help to stop the project.
“This is a housing development area and it comes under Sarawak Planning Authority, under the chairmanship of our CM.
“For development like this, there is a provision for developers to reserve part of the land for recreation. Recreation means that the area is for residents and their children to exercise. We promote healthy living which is very important.
“With this in mind, we’ve allocated RM80,000 to make a simple walkway at the park. Last year, we allocated another RM100,000 to put up exercise equipment and playground here.
“So I was shocked to see this (tower) continued,” he said, adding that the residents had also contacted him to find out what was actually happening.
He pointed out that telecommunication tower and recreational park should never be built in the same place.
“You want people to be healthy but every time they exercise here they will walk pass the tower,” he said.
Ting added Dr Zaidi was very understanding when he spoke to him about the ma er yesterday and Dr Zaidi assured that the contractor will not come to complete the necessary wiring work or put in signal for the tower.
“I want to assure residents here that I will follow up further with this issue and hopefully they (contractor) will have solution. This (recreational park) should not be the place as it has been gaze ed for recreation.
“They should find somewhere isolated and not in the middle of a housing area.
“The telco companies must also appreciate that health is very important to the people. I think they will understand. If they don’t, they should understand and they must understand that health is so important,” he stressed.
Ting said that it is always good to engage the stakeholders and the people whenever something like the tower needs to be installed, even by the government.
“If you want to make decisions affecting the people and the stakeholders, you should come down and discuss with them first.
“For now, the project is stopped and we will find solution on where it is suitable for the tower to be erected. The people must always come first,” stressed Ting.