GEORGE TOWN, October 25 – Residents of Bukit Gelugor are raising their voices against the construction of a 5G Telecommunications transmitter in their community, citing concerns about health and safety. The objections stem from the lack of consultation with the residents, leading to uncertainties about the health impacts of such a structure. The residents were taken by surprise when they learned that local authorities had granted approval for a mobile telecommunication transmitter to be erected within the compound of Surau in Bukit Gelugor.
What deeply concerns the community is the absence of prior discussion or agreement with those directly affected by the transmitter’s presence. In response to these developments, an objection letter has been sent to various relevant authorities, including the Office of the Honorable Chief Minister, Mayor’s Office, Majlis Agama Islam, Majlis Wakaf Pulau Pinang, Suruhajaya Kommunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC), Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM), Masjid Taqwa, ADUN Seri Delima, and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
Moreover, the residents argue that they were not served any notice, as required by law, regarding the construction of the 5G Telco Transmitter. It has come to light that there were discrepancies in the approval letters sent to various authorities, including MCMC, CAAM, Wakaf Pulau Pinang, TNB, Bomba, and MBPP. The approval requests made by the contractor to local authorities appeared dubious and misleading. Among the discrepancies, the claim of a pre-existing minaret, which was constructed just two days prior to the public announcement, raised concerns. The residents have no objections to the construction of a minaret in the surau.
Still, they strongly oppose the addition of a 3-meter ‘Wall Mounted Boom’ 5G Frequency Transmitter. Despite the objections, construction continued and was rushed to partial completion after residents voiced their complaints. Throughout the construction process, no notice board was erected as per council guidelines, which are meant to inform the public about the project. Furthermore, the community’s engineers and architects expressed concerns about the structure’s foundation and safety. While residents acknowledge the importance of development and progress, they emphasize that it should not come at the expense of potential harm to the community.
Globally accepted studies suggest that there is no 100% assurance of safety from telco transmitters. Emerging evidence indicates that those within a 500-meter radius of such transmitters are at risk of long-term health impacts, and the surrounding natural environment may also be affected. The International Agency for Research on Cancer regards RF waves, which include those emitted by telecommunication transmitters, as potential carcinogens. The proliferation of these transmitter towers in schools, places of worship, and other public areas is becoming an issue of concern that needs to be addressed.
As concerned citizens and a responsible government that serves the people, the residents request a reconsideration of the approval to erect the telecommunication transmitter in their community. They are calling for a stop order and an urgent meeting to resolve this matter with the community’s well-being in mind.
