I do not wish to be especially controversial, but I am sure that all Malaysians will realize that noise pollution is a very real phenomenon in Malaysia, especially in our cities.

This is a problem that arises from the "paper lama" man who now uses megaphones and amplifiers, to amplified chanting at temples and temple bells, to fun-fairs adjoining residential neighbourhoods, and yes, also mosques that insist on hugely amplifying religious sermons and even discussions so that the whole residential "taman" can be enlightened.

The decibel level of some of these is more than 130db at 100 metres, and easily exceeds occupational safety and health guidelines the world over.

We are all used to the Muslim azan, or call to prayer, but what of sermons that last for an hour or more being hugely amplified?

What about the chanting, hymns, bells, bhajans, etc that our various communities insist on sharing with the nation, whether we want to or not?

Some guidelines, stating the decibel level and also the time and timing of these sounds should be issued, and adhered to, for the sanity and sense of hearing of the nation.