GEORGE TOWN, March 2 — Penang today conceded that it demolished cellular transmission towers as noted by a federal minister, but said it did so due to public complaints.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that some of the towers were also torn down because they did not comply with state regulations.

Lim was responding to Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek’s criticism that the state government tore down telecommunications towers, resulting in higher costs for service providers that leads to higher service charges.

“He (Ahmad Shabery) can tell us where he wants the towers to be built, we will listen to his suggestions and allow it to be built,” he said.

He added that the state could also label the towers as “ehsan daripada Shabery Cheek. Satu lagi project Barisan Nasional (courtesy of Shabery Cheek. Another Barisan Nasional project)”.

This is so the public would know where to direct their complaints should they have any regarding the towers, he said.

Earlier today, Ahmad Shabery singled out Penang when saying that some local governments were not cooperating with the telecommunications companies in rolling out transmission towers..

He said local governments have a role to play in facilitating the construction of telecommunications infrastructure so that costs will be reduced and service providers can lower their charges.