Some good news reported in The Star. The Penang state government will broaden its consultation about the possible health risks of wi-fi.
Wide consultation is a good idea. Such public consultation should take place before any major project is launched.
“The state government is ready to cancel and abandon the project if there is scientific proof to show that the health of the people will be adversely affected by the wireless network,” says Guan Eng.
Fine. But what if studies point to significant health risks? When it comes to untested new technology and public health, caution should be exercised – especially if we are not sure of the long-term effects.
There is a difference between free wi-fi for the whole of Penang and say, mobile phones. In the former, the technology is thrust on the people, who do not have a choice. In contrast, in the case of mobile phones, people are free to choose whether or not to use them.
When organising the public awareness forum, both sides of the argument – along with accompanying evidence and research papers – should be presented. It is only then that we can make informed decisions about the proposed project. This report from The Star:
Sunday October 5, 2008 MYT 4:21:30 PM
Penang to continue study on health effects of WiFi
By CHRISTINA CHINGEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will widen its consultations with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public on possible health risks posed by free Internet wireless connections in the state.
A public forum to discuss the issue will be held after the Hari Raya festive period, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in a press release on Sunday.
He made the commitment in response to NGO objections to the wireless broadband project, which is aimed at providing free WiFi connection to the entire state within 24 months.
“I have instructed our tech-savvy Member of Parliament Jeff Ooi to organise the forum.
“For public education, we will make available various research papers on radio frequency (RF) radiation that has been wrongly linked to WiFi and WiMAX,” he said, adding that Ooi was Malaysia’s first blogger elected into Parliament and author of a book on the knowledge-based economy.
“We are receptive to public requests for continued consultative and educational sessions with the government pertaining to the implementation of the free Wireless@PENANG project. Public consultation is a continuing process even after a project is announced.
“The state government is ready to cancel and abandon the project if there is scientific proof to show that the health of the people will be adversely affected by the wireless network,” he said.
Lim also said that a World Health Organisation report concluded that the amount of non-ionizing radiation absorbed by a person’s body from a WiFi station is less than one-fifth that received from FM radio and television sets.
Caution and broad consultation will help in coming up with wise decisions. I think – or rather, I would like to believe – that both sides of the debate share the over-riding concern of ensuring that public health is not compromised in the quest for development. That is what sustainable development is all about.
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I am sure that at the end of the day, all findings will be inconclusive. Maybe it’s time for NGOs to also start lobbying for commercial areas such as eating places etc to disallow the usage of handphone. After all, it’s also a suspect when it comes to health risk that handphones may have on public health. Better still, CAP especially should call for the ban of microwaves and do the basic cooking on grills and other methods.
Maybe CAP should start providing alternatives to the state government instead of looking at things from a simplistic manner. I am appalled with the call to get WIFI off the island. Guess BN government didn’t have the vision to do anything and I am all supportive of this initiative.
Stop dictating how and what I should be using. If WIFI is the way to go, stay clear of the case NGOs and CAP. CAP is especially becoming a “show stopper”. Try buying their magazine. Everything has risked. I guess that is how they get the money – write something sensation and hope the world will accept it. I am from the free trade area and been working there for 20 years. I will rally my friends against any NGOs who act against business interest. Nothing more nothing less.
I was a fan of Consumer many years ago. One day, I decided, enough was enough. That was the day i stopped reading Consumer. Dont mistaken me, i do actually appreciate Mohd Idris’s effort actually.
But now, I think some people out there are having some hidden agenda
against FREE wifi in Penang because Penang is now under Pakatan.
I wonder does Mr Mohd Idris use a mobile phone, TV and microwave
oven at home. If yes, then, why suddenly so concern abt the
radiation of wi-fi?
Or for that matter does he drive a car or ride a motor-bike. Didnt he know that those vehicles emit carbon monoxide?
As for me, i am packing to live in the cave now because i am scared that i will die soon because of the wi-fi radiation!!!
The first thing they should do is complete the incomplete study that the transmission towers for mobile phone networks, located on top of almost many strategic buildings in crowded areas cause cancer. Where are the naysayers who pointed this out and then left this subject half way? And now this. Looks like only Germany and Penang will not have WIFI because of these ‘show-stoppers’…. that includes you Anil, the first to post those Gernamn articles as soon as the afternoon when WIFI launch was announced in Komtar….
Agree with Simple Girl. CAP is becoming a roadblock to progress in Penang and I’m geting very annoyed at their anti-progress approach in everything. I’m sure most Penangnites want wifi and it helps to make Penang a tourists and international business destination.
In this case, there is just no clear justification to prevent wifi other than a few isolated cases of anti-wireless people saying that there may be potential issues with wifi. Many claims have been made but none conclusive.
Come on people! We’ve had mobile phones for more than 20 years and if no experts has been able to come up with any evidence of the alleged hazard of handphone, then how can anyone claim that wifi presents a risk? Electromagmetic radiation from handphone is way way higher than wifi and they are trying to stop wifi! Since there is no evidence, suddenly, they spin off something else and call it “precaution”!
CAP probably should just relocate to some remote kampong or island where their views are appreciated. They should also stop using TV, no FM radio, no cordless phones, no microwave ovens, no electricity and go live like in a cave!!
Another theory is (some of the critics of the plan) have special interests in Telekom or maybe even the mobile phone service providers, since they know that free wifi will really be bad for their businesses. No more having to pay RM100/month for streamyx, and the telecommunication businesses realize the threat of Skype.
alamak anil
there are 1001 health hazards out there openly exposed to the public without anybody making afuss
smoking
your car runs on petrol doesnt it?
more than half of your household items are non biodegradable
the food that malaysians eat are so unhealthy that people are getting obese and getting diabetes at the age of 40
i wonder why people dont make no fuss about these kind of stuff, instead so concerned about some vague evidence of a tech harming their lives
typical malaysians
Good decision by the state gomen. Allow the public to participate and more views and ideas are better than bulldozing the project and ignoring the long term effects if any.
It is not so much of looking for scapegoats to take the blame but it is a responsible gomen that placing the public interest that will benefit future generations. Technology versus health, lets public be aware of the choice. With high tech but unhealthy population is no good for the nation. Comparative advantage?, competitive advantage? and cutting edge technology? Is there a middle ground? what are the opportunity costs in the decision made? Look at the big picture and what is the end state for all this proposal. Your wisdom and your leadership Mr.chief minister.
Wifi again!
The why fight is still on
I guess the players can’t decide
To advance or stay under the coconut shell?
Look everything we eat is bad
From the food to the drinks
Into our body systems
Creating havoc even doctors can’t tell why
Only subscribe pills
Hoping it helps…………..
End of the day
We die anyway
No scientist can conclusively proof wifi causes health problems
Any new gadget comes into human contacts is anyway
Cars, handphones, purification gadgets and so on
The lists will be long; life must fight for semblance of normalcy
When we are afraid, nothing will help us
We better go back the way of the ancient
Back to basic no need to worry about health hazards
Only this time we have to fight with the wild animals
I subscribe to CAP
It runs a piece on it last year
About the effects of wifi on the people
But yet it is not conclusive proven….
Just like handphones and microwave ovens
Talk about it
Even insect sprays too cause cancer
In about 20 years and more…..
Many households spraying like nobody business
‘Kill the mosquitoes; Kill aedes mosquitoes’
The doomsayers will never end in its crusade
Everything invented will be bad and bad…..
Why don’t they worry about H-bomb?
Now many countries are manufacturing it….
Besides Russia and US
India, Pakistan, North Korea, China join the club
Maybe Iran too…………..
This is worst than worrying about wifi!
Let the people have some fun with it
Life is so short why we worry silly?
Let the fun rolls in….
Just remember we die any way
Accidents, diseases, old age
Wifi? Let them hot it
Into the cyber-world
i salute MR. LIM GUAN ENG, he is doing a wonderful job, and to Mr. ANIL NETTO, continue your activism in high spirits and i believe you are a great eye and ear to Penang government compared to the previous state government. Would love to meet up with you soon Mr. ANIL … want some advice on some things, anyways, the poll is showing a lot , that NAJIB is not wanted by MSIANS. I actually met Pak Lah’s nephew Mr.Anil, and he was so sad that his uncle has been played out, according to him his uncle is so trustworthy that anything without evidence cannot be accepted, it reflects in very little ways of course of how the uncle implement what he says, his nephew said even how bad BN is , if they were to remain in power, a change is needed or whatever but not to Najib he insisted, so i was curious, thanks for allowing my poll suggestion, his nephew instead suggested that we conduct a survey , najib or pak lah as he is meeting his uncle soon thus he can hand in the memorandum, i was taken aback , i said can try la , something crazy but its gonna be tough as at grassroot Pak Lah suffers a lot even though Penang UMNO has declared their support for him, let me guess, they listen to Ahama ismail in penang more the way i look at it thus no action on ahmad ismail is support for pak lah,… his nephew is meeting him, thats why i took an oppurtunity to shake hand with pak lah and told him not to step down at his open house in kepala batas and ate so much , after all its the rakyat money.. but not worth going there,, with the toll all.. .. yeah.. FREE.. haha….. rascal KHAIRY was also there… everywhere Pak LAH there is khairy , u wont see it in media pics but he is in da background , i guess he has told media not to snap him… yes currently i am very confused Mr. Anil , give me time, and with advice from people like you, i should make a decision soon… yes i m regarded a small fly presently so what, it is my human right to make a decision.. the trip to kamunting too was great Mr. Anil, poor RPK, i m writing this comment at 10.49 in my room and i can imagine how RPK is lying there in the cell suffering to change his lifestyle at this age without his malaysia today, its sad,, release RPK n all ISA detainees not forgetting our HINDRAF heroes… thank u anil.. regards.. d.s.gill
Simple Girl, stop being so emotional. And stop attacking public interest bodies that are doing the public a favour. You sound as though you have an axe to grind with these institutions. If there are no consumer watchdogs to protect people’s rights and interests, your well-being and that of your family members would have gone down the drain a long time ago. As lay people who are not well acquainted with all the facts on Wi-fi, unlike NGOs who have taken the trouble to dig up the truth and alert us to trouble ahead, we should be grateful for such information. The CM has done the right thing by initiating public consultation on the matter following rising concerns. Let democracy and truth prevail. With full public involvement in the project, a saner decision — whichever way the pendulum swings — can be reached for the benefit of everyone, including you and I. If the pendulum doesn’t swing in your direction, accept it as the wishes of the majority. My advise to Simple Girl: Let’s not miss the woods for the trees. Let those who are in the know about Wi-fi debate the matter and fine-tune it for our collective benefit.
Lifted from real news of the world (no not the Star la):
“A recent authoritative Finnish study has found that people who have used mobiles for more than ten years are 40 per cent more likely to get a brain tumour on the same side of the head as they hold their handset; Swedish research suggests that the risk is almost four times as great. And further research from Sweden claims that the radiation kills off brain cells, which could lead to today’s younger generation going senile in their forties and fifties.”
‘We are all now living in a soup of electromagnetic radiation one billion times stronger than the natural fields in which living cells have developed over the last 3.8 billion years.”
HELLO, YOU DON’T SEE TROUBLE MEH?
FREE only, sampah pun ambik balik rumah!
Cheapskate Penangites will fall for anything FREE! Clever PR strategy. Just say the magic word “FREE”.
If we can have smoke free zones in recognition of people’s rights to smoke free environment.
Why and how can electromagnetic smogs be forced over my space when i do not want it?
FREE for the people? More like FREE bunch of site licenses for antennas and repeaters and base stations and towers! Hmmm… my wondering mind here — licenses worth lots of money lo.
All hazardous stuff to be near to. Brandon, you better make sure none of these are around your abode — sure property price will drop!
You never know when CAP will come in handy to champion your cause.
Wi-Fi has been around for a while. Does anyone know of an ACTUAL case of someone who got damaged by this technology? One of the phenomena of recent times is the plethora of “research” that is done on everything, everyone and their dog. Predictably, we are told that everything that we touch these days is dangerous. Problem is, there is a grain of truth in all that – but short of abandoning civilization and living off the land (I’m sure even that has some inherent dangers – chlorophylittis, anyone?), I think some common sense is in order. Let’s not spite our own face by cutting off our own noses. Let’s not dump important technology based on dicey, unproven research while the rest of the world moves on. Dangerous? Hey, the whole of life today is like that!
Dear Anil
You are doing good service to the citizens of Penang as well
other Malaysians.
Senior Citizens:
The Federal government has no plan for the senior citizens;
at least the Penang Administration should initiate some
plan for them.
I was in Perth sometime ago; for a start, the Perth City
Council issues bus tickets at special and reduced rate;
for a start, the Penang City Council should start special
reduced bus rates for seniors – say from the age of 55 – 90
Of course, there are other facilities lunch mid-day lunch
etc. We will dealth with it later.
Glancing thru your posting and the comments , it is simply obvious that many of your commentators are grouping in the dark and trying to be smarter than the others .
Some are right tho , the Consumer Associations have to sensationalise to “stay in business”. Everybody is right , if you wanna be truly safe and sound just stay in the cave somewhere in the jungle, there will be no unnatural health risks then
Well, in the jungle, you would face natural health risk. Pick your choice, da man. Denggi, malaria vs WiFi intoxication. Pick da choice de dey
Hie Anil,
Continue with your quest to fight for the people, regardless of whether you’re right or wrong.
At the end of the day,differences in opinion and a critical public discourse would result in a solution that is most balanced and appealing to various stakeholders.
What Anil was previously alluding to is perhaps the very-Barisan way the PR government of Penang called on the Wi-Fi project and award it through close-tender…or something like that…
http://www.suaradu.com
Anil, Don’t worry and do your research.
I also support the Penang gov’s decision. It is a good one. I read some artciles and have not found anything conclusive. So, enjoy the wifi.
And now it’s wifi, and the pros and cons of it by the Penang Government. It’s been, what, almost 8 months of a DAP led government? We still are waiting for them to enforce traffic laws in Penang. Having never solved one problem, they start something new like wifi. I’m all for wifi on the island, and willing to pay for it.
They haven’t even solved public transport yet. Maybe in 5 years time after the 13 GE. Promises, promises. BN made promises, too. Bus Users Group have met with State Government about public transport. Nothing has happened yet. Soon, next week, there’ll be a seminar on public transport. Public opinions will be heard, experts will be heard on public transport. But will the State Government make a move? There’s always some excuse for not doing anything.
Now, with the controversial wifi, we have something new to discuss. Another 30 years will have gone by as we discuss about everything. Do we do anything else, other than discuss?
Many people outside of Penang failed to understand the real reasons for objections against this free Wi-fi plan because they do not know that apart from kiam siap, the Penang Hokkiens are also kia si one. That’s why even free also don’t want.
Why we are so suddenly concern on wifi@Penang? We shall also stop using wimax, handphone, TV, FM radio, etc. for its radiation risks to our health.
IF the Wifi benefit is much higher than the risk, then take the risk or else let we Malaysians follow Taliban-style in banning every modern inventions from the West.
The argument seemed to be wifi and no-wifi. In fact the argument should focused on
whether there should be wide spread outdoor coverage of wifi.
=============================================================
The Penang governmet Wifi Forum should get the public fesdback on this specific issue rather than (1) wifi and no wifi and (2) whether is safe or not safe.
One can have tv. mircowave and wifi in the house. But remember, you have the choice to turn on of off. And beside there are very strict regulation controlling the emission power of consumer products.
The danger of public service wifi outdoor coverage is that you have no control. An unscrupolous provider can crank up the power and you not know about it. Similar, with the mobile phone base station, the providers will outsource the work to somebodt else and pretend they dont know about it when people complained. They also outsourced the problem. Just ask a radio engineer from the telco. Ask him/her if he/she would stay in front of base station radio transmitter for an extended period of time.
The best solution is to provide the Wifi service in selected public areas. e.g Starbucks and coffee bar and malls etc. Do not have the coverage indiscrimately.
Secondly, delivery of internet service using Wifi and WIMAX do not represent progress as some people suggest. Wireless technology cannot deliver the high bandwidth that is the hallmark of modern communication services. For example, in Germany, services are delivered at 16 Mbps and packaged with voice servioe for 40 Euros a month. HDTV is at additional cost. An average email sent out in Germany is 25 mbit. Europe is going back to wired facility because it has more capacity and more stable than wireless.
Penang is a well wired island. It is better for people to get internet service from wired internet operators. Long term, I would recommend to the Penang state government to look into
high speed fibre optic based communication services. It should explore ways and means to make to make it easier to get rights of way to lay fibres. Today, this has been setup as monopoly and hence costly.
To LKY, you seem are very selective in picking up a household application that is not similar to wifi. For instance, microoven is EMF shielded which is safe for consumers.
Do we have choice to turn off EMF signals from wimax, TV and handphone transmission towers? Remember that TV signals can reach a several hundred Km unlike wifi signal limited coverage to less than 100m.
Even you are hiding indoor, those above mentioned radio waves are still bombarding your brain cells, body parts, etc. non-stop.
As I said earlier, let’s shut down TV stations and mobile phone services first for propagating radio waves all over the place.
Obviously, some pseudo-scientists are hitting the wrong target (in this case is wifi) for health issue.
[...] Penang govt to widen consultation on wi-fi health risks [...]
Hello…..all are welcome to participate. No brother sister award of the business. Imagine if BN is still around, bet someone’s brother or sister or relative will get the monopoly….I think we have gone through that before…
I would agree that the wifi project should be studied further before implemented.
Things that are free definitely everybody wants but not necessarily it is good for us.
Maybe there is no current proof that wifi is bad for our health but maybe like some diseases, it might take time or prolonged exposure to show.
I agree with Mr Anil that people can choose not to use handphone but should the wifi project be implemented, people have no choice to not be affected by it.
We all want free wifi. The difference is that some are so short-sighted with wanting it because it’s free and without considering it’s long term effect on them and people around them whilst some prefer to take precaution because haste is waste and prevention is better than cure.
You may have it (wifi) free now but who knows how much more you will have to fork out for your cancer/tumour/ED bills.
some might think certain NGOs are so kaypo/ anti-development and pushing away the government’s good efforts.
but i am glad that there are NGOs like these who make me stop and think and reconsider rather than accept blindly whatever that’s given. I am glad that they are there to represent the collective small voices like myself.
sometimes, i think NGOs make better opposition members rather than Oppositions members themselves.
There are no conclusive evidence that WiFi can adversely harm any living thing on this planet. Although the research is still at an early stage and will probably take another 100 years of pushing papers back and forth while giving out some ang pows under the table delaying the final conclusion that yes it is harmful, but by then Malaysia will have people with two heads and two limbs walking backwards and s***ting from their mouths. For more details on Electromagnetic Safety see http://www.icems.eu/benevento_resolution.htm
I think it’s much safer to do bungee jumping, skydiving, wrestle a crocodile or eat all that China goodies filled with Melamine.
I don’t understand about all these public health concerns. I do read about an article talking about wifi leading to cancer, but there are all kinds of such articles on NET now. If we are going to decide something based on those NET articles, we can never go anywhere.
I am in Portland, USA but I am a Penangite; and Portland is a Wifi city for years, just like what Penang government is going to do. And I never heard anything about health risk or any reports on health damage from both the public and the government of Portland. People have been doing this for years, and we are arguing about whether it is good for us??? Why don’t we take some real cases for study….
came across these articles this morning. thought they’d add to the debate:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/oct/06/radiation.fears
http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/256/
joolee thanks for your linked articles, they were useful, To think that people use this situation to earn an extra buck is sad. Despite all that it is still 50/50 on the Electromagnetic effects on humans. A long time ago on July 20, 1969 when the Apollo Spacecraft took mission to the moon everyone was glad but oblivious to the fact that the chemicals which were used on the rockets were harming the ozone layers. Years later they debated about it and came to a conclusion that space travel and conquering the galaxy was more important. Again the humans are the ones to suffer and have fallen to deceit. Just a reminder to “Just want change” Portland Wifi intends to shut down it’s operation’s soon. Again this may not be a radiation issue but instead a white elephant which costs more to maintain. We the people of Malaysia do not want our Goverments to spend tax payers money without planning ahead for the future. For gods sake there are still families living in huts in Penang, what about Portland, USA?
George,
Everywhere has poor people, you are so naive to think that Portland does not have poor people who are homeless, who are living underneath fly over or bridges???? Portland is going to shutdown the wifi is not because of health concern, is because of its maintainance. Penang is a developing state, if we don’t implement something what is so called “future technology” (actually, is existing technology, and we are so far behind, but yet still so conservative), then we can never march ahead. I do agree that Penang government should take care of other public wellfare, but it does not mean that we have to do things ONE AT A TIME…….We are emphazing on attracting High Tech companies to invest in Penang or even in Malaysia, we have a so called High Tech Park in Kulim, and the arguement we have here is so “Low Tech” without a proper proof or evident. This type of development can serve as a attraction point to foreign investors. Without more investment to Penang, it might create more employment and it will indirectly help those FAMILIES LIVING IN HUTS!!!!
Just want change,
I know everywhere people are poor, for instance in Portland, City Commissioner Erik Sten, spearheaded the outreach plan in December 2004, and brought down the “chronically homeless” from 1,438 to 386 in December. That’s almost a 74% drop. The Penang homeless have to wait for the 10th Malaysia Plan and we are in 2008 currently on the 9th Malaysia Plan. Most of these homeless Penangites are carted away and relocated to Kedah or Pahang and placed into welfare homes. Anyway this topic is not about the homeless, that was an example of how good money can be spent. You know, being conservative is actually good as opposed to jumping on the bandwagon everytime something new pops up, like botox, viagra, plastic surgery, Wifi so on and so forth. They are only good for a short period of time and not in the long run. I am not opposing technology, im just saying that it needs a lot of attention to detail prior to implementing it in Penang. I never said for them to do this one at a time, they can coordinate with various goverment agencies simultaneously to achieve this. For me anything wired is safe as long as i dont go near it, anything wireless using the airwaves that we share must be considered crucially. Our technology is not very far behind, first we have to have the subscriber base to implement further technology. Why not opt for fibre optics or copper cables to gain that speed and technology for foreign investors, after all the foreign investors must be grounded somewhere in Penang. For instance, how many of you Malaysians out there are fed up that there are no options for subscribers to choose different TV cable companies. I am guilty, i want more TV Cable companies so i can choose what i want as opposed to being shoved in the face with only one. Again this totally relies on subscriber base, if you do not have an adequate amount of subscribers or (foreign investors) then forget about it. Dont get me wrong, i fully support technologies like Hybrid cars because a lot of studies have gone into it and the ourtcome to the environment are proven. Incidentally, the technological powerhouse of the world the US of A has the lowest output of Hybrid cars compared to our European counterparts. I am naive and so are a lot of them out there, but i am certainly not duplicitous. Have a good day friend.