The Penang Electromagnetic Field Protection Coalition is prepared to prove that they have the necessary credentials to challenge the safety limits used by the government when erecting telecommunication structures in the state.

NONE Two weeks ago, Jelutong (DAP) MP Jeff Ooi ( right ) had accused the group of spreading ‘unfounded rumours and unsubstantiated data', while he questioned the coalition's legality and legitimacy.

Ooi, who is PDC Telecommunications Services Sdn Bhd (PDC Telco) chairperson, suggested that the Sedition Act be used on the group for challenging standards approved by the World Health Organisation and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

PDC Telco is a subsidiary of state owned Penang Development Corporation .

The coalition's advisor Dr Thor Teong Gee said that he is willing to reveal his professional qualifications and training when a proper dialogue session is organised between the public and the MCMC.

"Jeff Ooi said I should declare my professional qualifications, I will not show it to him but I will reveal them if there were proper dialogues sessions with the MCMC or any other organisations," he told Malaysiakini.

"We reiterate that we are not against the state for promoting a wireless Penang, all we are saying is that please adhere to the safety limits used by many advanced countries," he added.

penang gerakan youth thor teong ghee The group has suggested that the state consider the safety limits used by Austria, Germany and Italy (which is much lower than the one approved by WHO or MCMC), when erecting telecommunication structures.

Thor ( left ) said he could not understand Ooi's outburst over the matter, saying that the famous blogger was ‘unreasonable and destructive' for threatening the group with sedition laws.

"We never blamed Ooi for anything so we do not know why he says we are spreading rumours, he is really unreasonable and destructive," he added.

Telco towers controversy

Suaram's Penang Branch reiterated its call for the MP to hold public consultations on the telco towers controversy.

Ooi has reportedly said in the Chinese press that he disagreed with the human rights organisation's criticism against him for suggesting that the coalition be investigated under the draconian Act.

"Instead of contributing anything substantive to the dialogue on the controversy surrounding safety standards of tower installations, Ooi unfortunately chose to defend his Sedition Act suggestion as a personal opinion and that any appeal related to the said act is the Federal Government's responsibility," said branch coordinator Ong Jing Cheng.

"As a distinguished pioneer of the blogging scene as well as a fierce advocate of free speech in Malaysia prior to his election to Parliament in 2008, Ooi's response is therefore surprising and disappointing," added Ong.

While Ooi is free to speak his mind, (whether in a personal capacity or not), Ong stressed that any suggestion related to the use of the Sedition Act is a form of intimidation.

"What other purpose was there in Ooi's suggestion, if not for intimidating those who had a different opinion than that of his?" querried Ong.

Ooi is yet to respond to Malaysiakini's phone calls and text messages today.