A television grab showing Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong (top left) seeking a reply from Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (top right) while Deputy State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala (bottom left) presides during the question-and-answer session at the 18th DUN sitting yesterday.
KUCHING: There is no evidence to indicate that radio frequency or RF emission emitted by Sacofa’s telecommunication towers would cause any adverse health effects.
Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi informed the august House yesterday that the construction and operation of mobile phone base stations are controlled by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“MCMC regulates the frequency, transmitting power and RF emission by the mobile phone stations,” he said in responding to Violet Yong (DAP-Pending).
Yong has urged the government to come up with measures to ensure radiation emitted from antennas affixed to Sacofa’s telecommunication towers does not pose a danger to residents living in close proximity of the towers in the long run.
“Any non-compliance to the mandatory standards defined by MCMC shall attract a fine of up to RM200,000 for the operator hence ensuring public safety remains a top priority at all times,” he added.
Elaborating, Dr Abdul Rahman revealed that the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA) had conducted nine radiation assessment audit in Sarawak to assess the rate of radiation emitted by the transmitters affixed onto the telecommunication structures at nine different sites located in densely populated areas.
“The test results showed that the RF radiation measured at all sites were well below the exposure limits and comply with International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and MCMC Mandatory Standard for members of the public,” he said.
Based on the findings of the assessment, he added, that MNA found that RF radiation emitted by the antennas from the telecommunication structure with the present loads and the background radiation would not lead to any significant radiation exposure received by the public in the areas.
“The percentage of exposure is only 0.01 to 0.26, which is classified as harmless to the health of human beings,” he said.
Not satisfied with the reply, Yong asked if Dr Abdul Rahman would lead by example to have Sacofa built a telco tower near his house and later suggested that it was better for the towers to be set up atop high commercial buildings.
In assuring Yong’s great concern for the future, Dr Abdul Rahman said: “The chief minister (Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg) has revealed his intention to set up our own MCMC so we will take your suggestions as well as concerns seriously into consideration.”