LIMBANG: SACOFASdn Bhd, Sarawak’s leading ICT infrastructure company behind Sarawak’s state-of-the-art telecommunications and information technologies development, conducted a public seminar yesterday on the misconception people have on the dangers and hazards of Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) and Radio Frequency(RF) emissions to people living in close proximity to telecommunications towers. SACOFA’s public safety drive, which is now in its second year, helps the public to better understand telco towers, how vastly important they are to the state’s development, and that they pose no threat to public health and safety.
They are widely reported to have a highly positive impact providing high-speed broadband connectivity and all its benefits to the life of the people around it as a driver for education where schools can have access to open-source learning opportunities and materials and also to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurial growth and economic advancement for the communities they serve.
SACOFA has recently responded to public complaints in places like Taman Jasmine in Bintulu, Siang Siang in Miri and Stapok in Kuching, which demonstrates the importance of educating the public via interactive seminars and public engagement activities.
The most recent dialoguewas with the residents of Tabuan Desa in Kuching for the proposed site at Lorong Keranji 4F1 on 19th July this year. The residents have been made aware of the safe levels of emissions from telecommunications towers and they have ultimately agreed to the construction of the tower.
SACOFA engaged the Malaysian Nuclear Agency toconduct the RF emissionstests and audit for 15 locations throughout Sarawak in 2017.
This year, an additional 26 locations have been audited and the RF radiation in all the 41 locationsfell well below the exposure limits and comply to International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) standards, which are set by the World Health Organisation and have been adopted as the mandatory standard set by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for members of the public.
Findings from the audit prove that SACOFA telco towers performed at a level far better than the minimum international and Malaysian standard. In fact, the radiation is comparable to the low emissions of a table lamp or a TV.
SACOFA Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director, Zaid Zaini, said: “Based on the findings of this assessment by the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, we strongly believe that the presence of the RF radiation emitted by the antennas from our telecommunication towers with the present loads and the background radiation would not lead to any harmful radiation exposure to the public.
“Additionally,SACOFA is in full compliance with local regulations on the minimum setback distances from towers to residential and commercial buildings.
“We understand the concerns from the public regarding the safety aspect of telco towers and we aim to provide the best service to the public as the State’s ICT enabler within the parameter of health and safety. Nevertheless, we will continue to engage with the public via multiple platforms, offering information with the utmost transparency.”
Speaking at the seminar was Chee Lay Heng of CISSPR Sdn Bhd, a premier RF, EMF, EMC and safety services and solutions provider in Malaysia that specialised in test and measurement, projects and consultancy.
Another speaker invited was Miss Roha Tukimin, Research Officer and Manager of the Non-Ionising Radiation Group of the Malaysian Nuclear Agency.
Closing remarks were made by the Resident of Limbang, Ir. Ahmad Denney bin Ahmad Fauzi, who read the text of speech of YB Dr. Hj. Abdul Rahman Ismail, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Sarawak and Sarawak State Legislative Assemblyman for N.79 Bukit Kota.
The seminar was attended by Limbang District Council officers, Councillors, Government officers, community leaders, teachers, media representatives, and members of the public.
Zaid continued, “More awareness talks conducted by industry experts alongside the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and professional consultants are being planned.
“We are working closely with local councils and relevant parties, especially the public, to bring a better understanding of the safe levels of non-ionising emissions which are often misunderstood and falsely assumed to have harmful health effects.
“SACOFA emphasises on high priority on the safety and health ofeveryone. As a leading ICT company, we constantly strive to bring new technology to enhance everyone’s quality of life but we will never endanger the public while doing this.
“People need to remember that my staff at SACOFA and I too are cellular phone users just like everyone else and are part of the communities that reside in proximity to these same towers.
“Hence our high standards are maintained to ensure the safety of everyone! Surely we will not treat lightly the risk to our health in the name of technology,” he said, adding that all parties need to work together to clear misperception of tower emissions and dispel the myths about RF radiation into order to bring Sarawak to greater heights with a Digital Future for the benefit of everyone.
