Wireless@Penang (WiFi, WiMax) project to proceed

I was too late in reaching Komtar yesterday to attend the WiFi forum organised by the Penang government but it's been confirmed that it's full steam ahead for the Wireless@Penang project. A lot of experts came out in support of the initiative, such as from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Malaysian Nuclear Agency Radiation Safety and Health Division and the University of Malaya.

Good. We shouldn't be cringing every time that the Consumer Association of Penang open their mouth. They'll always be objecting to everything, whether justified or unjustified. In this case, my personal feelings are that the CAP has no leg to stand on. But you can't really fault them. After all, they are only doing their job to be a watchdog for consumer rights. Oh yes, and to be a pest too. :-)

I have it from a very good source that there wasn't a representation from the CAP. Neither were the other non-governmental organisations present. Which only makes me wonder whether in the first place, were they serious in making so much noise and raising so much objection? Big disappointment and a great pity, isn't it? Especially when notice of this forum had been given to the public at least two weeks ago. See my blog post here. The government was prepared to engage them but they are only sending wrong signals about themselves on this matter. Makes you wonder, how can they ever remain credible when they can't even defend their position?

Anyway, the Chief Minister was there to open the forum and he said: "According to the World Health Organisation, the amount of radiation absorbed by people’s bodies from a WiFi station is less than one-fifth that they receive from FM radio and television that surround them day and night. Based on this and other authoritative reports, we see that there is no conclusive evidence that a state-wide WiFi or Wimax service would pose health risks to the people of Penang." Incidentally, the CM also observed that no country in the world had banned the service.

Maybe I should also add that there is radiation from computer monitors. If anyone is so concerned about safety risks, please-lah blog with your typewriter, not with your computer. I'm sure you should be more afraid about radiation from a computer monitor than from WiFi or WiMax services.

So I say, please proceed with the Wireless@Penang initiative. Read the full report here.