Illegal Telecomunication Structures/Towers

Today i attended to a complain regarding illegal telecommunication structure erected at No. 21, Jalan New Pasir Putih, Ipoh and i must say that i was flabbergasted to be informed by the officer from the Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh that the company who erected the telecommunication structure on the said premise have yet to obtain the approval from the local authority to do so although the company had submitted an application form o the authority. Further, i was also informed by the officer that the said company will be slapped by a higher application fee ie. RM 3,500.00 for failure to conform with the existing regulations. To me, this is a mockery where telcos companies are allowed to flout the law with a measly fine of RM 3,500.00.



I have been informed that there were many such illegal structures in Ipoh alone and a lot of these towers/structures are erected without prior approval. The telcos companies deemed that such approval are practically 'guaranteed' so long as the Guidelines set by the Federal Ministry are complied with. Certainly, something is wrong somewhere ! How can an approval be taken for granted especially in this case where the residents have protested from day one. There are three tuition centers at the buildings where the illegal telco structures are situated and also there is a primary and a secondary school nearby.

The State Authority need to come up with a proper guidelines to regulate the erection of such towers in the State of Perak. I will call for a meeting of all Local Authorities and other Agencies concerned and also the Malaysian Communication & Multimedia Commission to draw up a proper Guidelines for the State of Perak to ensure full compliance and also to avoid such illegal structures from being built without any prior approval nor regard to the Authorities.

Certainly, we cannot deny that the problems of telcos towers/structures does exists and requires the State Authorities intervention. The State need to balance the commercial needs and residents rights in such a matter. It is my wish that a win-win situation can be achieved and a clear guidelines set for the State of Perak wherein everyone will know the boundaries and limits in the erection of such structures or towers in future.