style="text-transform: uppercase;">Penampang: A briefing was held on a telecommunication tower at Taman Kasigui III here which has been a subject of debate among residents there for close to a year.The briefing on Tuesday was held to put to rest their concerns, mostly revolving around the health hazards of the Radio Frequency (RF) emitted by the tower.

According to the Taman Kasigui III residential committee chairman Johnny Chua, the tower was built without the consent of residents and believed it did not have proper documentation.

Some 300 people reside at the area where the tower is presently active.

An inspection conducted by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in August last year revealed RF transmissions from the tower are below the recommended level set by the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry and two other federal ministries.

Measured in field strength, the present recommended levels are 41.25 volts per metre for GSM900, 58.36 volts per metre for GSM 1800 and 61 volts per metre for 3G transmissions.

The tower only emits 0.2997 per volts metre for GSM800, nil on GSM1800 and 0.331 per volts metre on 3G, an MCMC officer said, adding that the tower also abide to the 20-metre buffer zone.

"This is very safe," pointed out MCMC Director Jusli Ellis.

Jusli also explained that RF, unlike ionizing rays like gamma and ultra violet rays, are not harmful.

A telco representative also said the tower was built to cater to customers in three residential areas and the decision did not come without any thorough process.

He revealed permissions had been obtained from agencies like the Fire Department and Department of Civil Aviation before the tower was constructed.

They also entered into an agreement with the landowner to build the tower on the land.

However, it could not be ascertained whether the landowner had converted the land use or if a commercial licence had been applied for from the district office.

The Penampang District Council said they do not have any record over the matter.

A meeting will be called again by the district office to settle all the issues.