KUCHING: The Ministry of Local Government and Housing has promised to help stop the erection of a telco tower within the perimeter of Stapok Badminton Court.
A political secretary to the chief minister Tan Kai said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian was aware of the issue and will accommodate the demands of the residents of Lorong Stapok Utara in Batu Kawah that the project be scrapped.
Tan, who represented Dr Sim, noted that the wishes of the residents were well-received and that the good doctor would help to put a stop to the project.
“Their wish is clear and loud. They have signed a petition. No matter what they just don’t want the tower as the telco coverage is strong in their area,” he told reporters during a press conference at the badminton court yesterday.
Wong Liong Hing, a representative of the residents, said more than 200 individuals have inked the petition against the erection of the tower.
The residents, many of whom have been residing in the area for the past two decades, were gathered at the court to show their protest over the matter although it was a working day.
He also noted that this was the second time that the residents had protested to stop such a project. The first was in 2015. The project was then put on hold for four years.
“But after four years they want to put up the tower again,” said Wong who was accompanied by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.
Last Wednesday they visited Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) (May 29) to file a complaint about the project, and the officers promised to look into the matter.
He stressed that the residents opposed the tower as there are already two existing telco towers within the vicinity. They questioned the need for the proposed tower as there has been no network transmission issue or bad mobile reception in and around the area.
Wong then pointed out that the protest was also about the negative effects of telecommunication transmission on human health, environmental aesthetics and property value.
“This is not a rural area, you know. This is a town area, so why do you need so many towers when it is not necessary? Also, it is too near to many residential houses and in, of all places, a badminton court! The court is meant for people to keep fit and healthy,” said Wong.
“I don’t care who help us in our protest – SUPP, DAP, whoever … All we want is for the project to be stopped immediately.”
He also said that he had contacted Dr Sim, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman, for his intervention.
Meanwhile, Christina Chiew (special assistant to Domestic Trade and Consumer Deputy Minister Affairs Chong Chieng Jen) urged the authorities, including SMA, to stop the project immediately.
“If there is a need for more towers to enhance the capacity of network coverage, find more suitable location further away from residential areas.
“We are not against the building of more towers for better coverage, but the providers need to be more considerate in their planning and should consult and hear the voices of the stakeholders,” she said.
