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CITY HALL has asked for the removal of a “smartpole” from a Luyang playground as the structure was illegally erected on this government land.

The agency will also be keeping tabs on the playground at Ujana Rimba Tropika Park. The playground had been closed since early September, to allow for the equipment to be refurbished, and was only reopened in the middle of this month.  

City Hall was responding to a Luyang rate-payer’s misgivings about the potential negative impact the “smartpole” might have on the wellbeing of those staying in the vicinity, as well as a parent’s query about the month’s long closure of the playground at the Park.

These individuals provided Hotline with the pertinent details, regarding their grievances, which were forwarded to the agency.

A spokesman for City Hall’s Building Control Department (BCD) said no greenlight had been given for the “smartpole” 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.

He said the BCD was apprised about the presence of the “smartpole” after its Landscaping peers came upon the telecommunications’ structure during an inspection of the playground.

The spokesman said City Hall had succeeded in identifying the owner of the telecommunications’ structure.

“Our staff have since contacted the party concerned who was instructed to dismantle the ‘smartpole’ and any related fixtures from the playground.”

He said the latter’s representatives had verbally agreed to remove the structure and been given a grace-period to do so.

“A follow-up inspection will be carried out after the Chinese New Year period is over. If the ‘smartpole’ is still there, then a ‘surat perobohan (letter of demolition)’ will be issued to the owner.” 

A “smartpole” 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.

MARVIN of Luyang first noticed the telecommunications’ structure being built in the open space across from his home towards the end of December.

“I fear that the radiation from this hardware might have a negative impact on the health of those of us staying in Taman Prima Jaya,” he said.

He hoped the telecommunications’ service provider, which erected the “smartpole”, would consider shifting the structure because of this. 

City Hall’s Landscaping Department was initially contacted about what had been transpiring in the neighbourhood.

A Department spokeswoman confirmed that the developer had handed over the playground to the agency, with Landscaping staff maintaining the property at regular intervals.

In the case of the playground at the Ujana Rimba Tropika, she said a contractor had been appointed to supply and install the requisite equipment in this part of the Park.

“The individual was given five months to complete this project,” she said, adding that a signboard to this affect was put up on the grounds.

She said the playground was cordoned off behind a barrier of black net to prevent the public, including children, from entering this area while this work was being carried out.

“The project period expired on February 4. Slightly over a week later, the Department’s senior staff and the contractor made a joint inspection of the playground to determine if the individual had fulfilled our stipulations as regards the project.

“They not only checked on the new equipment but also had a look at the drainage fixtures placed in this part of the Park.”

She said the netting barricade was removed on February 16, so that kids could begin making use of the playground over the Chinese New Year public holidays. 

“Landscaping staff have been reminded not to grow lax when it comes to checking on the condition of the equipment to ensure that these fixtures are safe to use at all times.”