RESIDENTS of Taman Cheras Awana in Kajang, Selangor, are calling for the removal of a 4G tower on Jalan Awana 17 following the cancellation of its permit earlier this year.
Taman Cheras Awana Residents Association chairman Robert Dass MP Anthony Dass said Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) had sealed off the tower in May.
“The tower should have been dismantled within a month after it was sealed.
“However, three months have elapsed, and it is still operational,” he said during a press conference at Jalan Awana 17.
Dass said the residents also filed a complaint with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) about a month ago, over the source of electricity supply at the tower.
According to the minutes of an MPKj One-Stop Centre (OSC) committee meeting on May 22, the 4G tower’s permit has been revoked.
The minutes also noted that the tower’s operator failed to secure approval from TNB for electricity supply.
In addition, the operator installed a generator next to the tower, causing noise and diesel odour pollution that affected the residents.
“The tower should be removed immediately,” Dass urged.
“There are also concerns about radiation.
“Legally, telecommunications towers should be situated at least 20m from residential homes, yet the one on Jalan Awana 17 is merely 6m from the nearest house.
“We are not opposing telecommunications towers; we simply insist that protocols are adhered to,” he said.
A resident, Defannie Usha, 31, echoed these sentiments, urging authorities to relocate the 4G tower further away from the residential area.
“There are plenty of forested and vacant areas nearby where the tower can be situated.
“I believe the radiation poses a potential hazard if the tower is too close to homes,” she said.
When contacted, MPKj Zone 2 councillor Thiagarajah Rajagopal confirmed that he had communicated the residents’ concerns to MPKj.
As of press time, MPKj has not responded to queries regarding the issue.
