CITY Hall has assured residents living beside a Luyang playground, where a smart-pole has been erected, that they will suffer no ill effects, health-wise, for the moment, as the structure is not yet operational.
A spokesman for the agency’s Building Control Department said it was trying to decide whether the smart-pole should be moved away to a more suitable location.
The agency was responding to a Taman Primajaya rate-payer’s concerns about the negative impact the smart-pole might have on the well-being of households in the vicinity.
A smart-pole is a multifunctional, IoT-enabled urban infrastructure unit that functions as a data-driven hub. “IoT-enabled” refers to physical objects embedded with sensors, software and network connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) that allow them to collect, exchange and act on data autonomously or remotely.
These devices connect to the Internet or networks, transforming ordinary, passive items into smart, interactive systems.
The spokesman said a check of its records revealed that City Hall had not given the green light for the smart-pole to be put up on the open space off Lorong Prima Jaya 2.
“No permission would be given under any circumstances as the property on which it is erected has been designated as the playground for Taman Prima Jaya,” he said.
“As such, the smart-pole is deemed to be an illegal structure.”
He said the BCD was apprised of the presence of the smart-pole in February, after its Landscaping counterparts came upon the telecommunications structure during an inspection of the playground.
City Hall succeeded in identifying the owner of the telecommunications structure shortly thereafter.
He said BCD staff met with the company’s staff, who were instructed to dismantle the smart-pole and any related fixtures from the playground.
“At the time, they verbally agreed to have the structure removed once the Chinese New Year period was over. They were informed that if the smart-pole still remained after this, then a ‘surat perobohan’ (letter of demolition) would be issued to the firm.”
The spokesman said the owner subsequently wrote to the agency, appealing to be allowed to keep the smart-pole where it was.
He said the BCD was given to understand that the gadgets attached to the pole had yet to be activated.
“The owner explained that the structure was meant to provide its subscribers in the surrounding area with better coverage. Owing to this, the company was asked to canvass opinions from Taman Primajaya rate-payers on whether the smart-pole should be retained at its present location or if it should be moved away.”
City Hall’s Landscaping Department (LD) was also formally asked for input on this matter, according to him.
“A meeting will be held once we have received the response from the Taman Primajaya residents and the LD, so that we can decide how best to proceed.”
A Department spokeswoman confirmed that the developer had handed over the playground to the agency, with Landscaping staff maintaining the property at regular intervals.
