The increasing number of “ugly and dangerous” outdoor advertisements violate the local council's new guidelines, said the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).

 

Its president SM Mohamed Idris pointed out to the increasing number of unipoles and minipoles along Jalan Masjid  Negeri, Jalan Burma, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jelutong Expressway, Penang bridge and the North-South Expressway.

 

He claimed that there were 11 cluttering the skyline and are against the new guidelines.

 

"The main purpose of commercial outdoor advertisements is to encourage consumerism. It serves no other useful purpose.

 

"They mask the architecture of buildings and natural vistas, distract road users and endanger public safety," Idris said at a press conference today.

 

He said after the collapse of a rooftop billboard at Crystal Point, Bayan Baru, that damaged several cars during a storm in September, the number of such units has been reduced by 40 percent.

 

However the remaining ones should also be brought down - especially those at Jalan Dato Keramat and the City Stadium - as they are tall and massive structures.

 

"Apart from danger of toppling down during storms, they also block the skyline," Idris said.

 

The Crystal Point incident led to the authorities stripping advertisements and metal backing of several unipole and monopole billboards across the Jelutong Expressway, he added.

 

"These have left gigantic, ugly skeletons dotting the city and marring the skyline. Why the authorities have allowed them to remain is unclear," he added.

 

Idris also spoke out against the increasing number of electronic billboards at various locations mounted on lamp posts.

 

"The animated ones hijack the attention of road users and cause intense glare at night," he said.

 

He also objected to streamers, banners, labels and stickers as “eyesores”.

 

Idris called on the local councils to legislate laws to remove outdoor advertisements nationwide completely from public and open spaces, as well as roads.

 

"Allow advertising only at designated areas such as private premises and indoors, encourage the greening of cities and towns, and the beautification of buildings to prevent them from looking bland," he asserted.