RESIDENTS in Jalan Jelebu, Taman Kayu Manis, Seremban, want the telecommunication structures installed on a two-storey shoplot in the housing estate removed immediately.
Most of them feel that such structures will pose a health hazard.
Some telco structures have already been installed in August last year but were abandoned when the residents protested as they were installed close to the houses.
Sadargal Singh, who has been living in the area for about 10 years, said the operators should have consulted the residents first before installing the structures.
“We know they are trying to improve telecommunication reception in the area but it should not be done at the expense of our health,’’ added Sadargal.
Housewife Yee Mei Ling, 49, said since four of the structures were put up, her handphone and television reception was bad.
“I had to go out of my house to get the reception on my handphone,’’ added Yee.
Another resident Nagakanni Nadesan, 62, said she had seen workers installing the structures at night but never thought it was serious until recently.
She was taken aback when told about the dangers of having telecommunication structures installed in residential areas.
“The structure should be installed a safe distance from the housing area,’’ said Nagakanni.
Seremban MP John Fernandez said he had forwarded the residents’ complaints to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) on Jan 12.
He said council had yet to reply to his letter but the MCMC replied on Feb 2 that the structures owned by Packet One Network (M) Sdn Bhd, were illegally installed.
Fernandez said MCMC had already notified the council on the structures.
He said even if the owners had installed the structures with a temporary operating licence from the council, they had not followed proper guidelines in building the steps leading to the telco structures on top of the building.
When contacted the council’s director for buildings, Norizza Mohd Sham, said the department’s enforcement team would conduct their investigation and would request the owners to remove the structures.