KUCHING: Pending State Assemblywoman, Violet Yong yesterday accused Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) of pouring cold water on Democratic Action Party’s efforts to help the Taman Supreme, Jalan Nyatoh residents who objected to Sacofa’s plan to build a monopole (telecommunication tower) near their houses.
Yong said about 98 residents had signed a petition objecting to the company’s use of the present site to build the monopole. DAP, she added, had submitted the petition to the company on 13 Feb.
“We stand at the forefront to make the residents’ voices heard and convey them to the relevant authorities, the company, MCMC and even the Minster of Public Utilities,” Yong told a press conference at DAP Headquarters here yesterday. Also present was Dr Kelvin Yii, Special Assistant to Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament, Chong Chieng Jen.
“I have not given up hope in pursuing this matter and I have even personally brought up the matter to Stephen Rundi (Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Public Utilities Minister) through whatsApps and he has promised to look into it once he returns from travelling.
“In actual fact, on 13 Feb, when Dr Kelvin Yii and I went to the company’s office and personally met Mohd Said, the Corporate Affair Manager, or whatsoever, he assured us that the company would stop this project and look for a better alternative site to build the tower.
“Of course, we were very happy and we thanked him, but 11 days later on 24 Feb, suddenly we received feedback from the residents that there were workers on site.
“When I heard that, I quickly texted this Mohd Said and asked him if the company was continuing the Supreme tower project. Mohd said he would call back as he was in a meeting.
“ He texted me at 11.06 am on 24 Feb, telling me that the company contractors were pulling out their machinery on site and doing some tidying work before moving.
“That means at that moment, I took it that the company had agreed to stop or to scrap that project. That was what Mohd texted me.
“DAP is asking the company why it broke its promise. Initially, it agreed to stop it but at a later stage, it continued and this is the evidence,” Yong said, while showing a piece of paper.
“If SUPP does not want to help in Taman Supreme ‘s telco issue, please step aside and don’t pour cold water on DAP’s effort to get the company to respect the wishes of the residents there,” Yong said.
“We are not against the company providing or improving the coverage connectivity of these Telco providers but we want it to find a more suitable place instead of going to residential houses.
“Since your primary objective is to serve a shopping mall, then go to the shopping mall and find the right spot and plant your equipment there rather than destroy the peacefulness of the residents of Taman Supreme,” added Yong.
