Residents want telco structures removed
09 Oct 2012, New Straits Times
RESIDENTS in Jalan Teratai 1/2, Taman Bukit Teratai are uneasy about several telecommunications (telco) structures in their neighbourhood which were were first installed in 2002.
AMPANG JAYA: The residents claim that since the telco structures were put up, there had been an increase in the number of residents suffering from cancer.
The telco structures, on top of a two-storey shop lot, are about seven metres away from a block of four-storey shop houses where they live.
Chan Kok Ling, who has been living in one of the four-storey units for 10 years, said his wife died of cancer last year.
"She was healthy before the structures were put up," he said at a dialogue which was organised by Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat after complaints from the residents.
Tan Bee Choo said her son has been diagnosed with cancer in the brain. "We fear for our health and have moved to another neighbourhood," she said.
Chin Yok Yin said her husband died of cancer in 2009.
"We had been living in the area for a long time. He became ill and six months later, he passed away," she said.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) planning department representative Muhammad Quazrin Abdul Rahman said that the application for the structures was approved in 2002 at the full board meeting. "These applications were approved when there was no objection from the residents.
"If there are objections, applications will be rejected," he said.
Maxis Communications Bhd representative Yusry Yusof said that they had adhered to the guidelines set out by MPAJ and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in putting up the telco structures.
Ong claimed that since 2009, seven residents had been stricken with cancer and five have died from the disease. "The residents have raised objections in the past about the telco structures but to no avail. All they are asking is to live an anxiety-free life," he said.
Ong said that 400 residents had signed a petition, calling for the telco structures to be removed.
"The residents should be consulted before MPAJ approves the telco structures. How can they allow so many structures in one place? We will raise this issue with the authorities," he said.