Paper On Nuclear Energy For Malaysian Cabinet Next Month

Bernama 19 Aug 08;

MELAKA, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will submit to the Cabinet late next month a comprehensive proposal to include nuclear energy as an energy source for generating electricity.

Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the working paper, which was ready, covered the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal and security aspects.

"After it is tabled to the cabinet, an announcement will be made on our commitment to further preparations," he told reporters after opening an international conference and workshop on protection from radiation and launching the book, "Radiografi Industri-Prinsip dan Praktik", here last night.

Dr Ongkili said the Malaysian Nuclear Agency was the lead agency to coordinate and manage the planning, preparations and development for the use of nuclear energy as a power source in the country in future.

Malaysia had experts who had studied and researched nuclear technology as a safe new source of power.

"This nuclear energy is vital following the increase in the world fuel price and our limited oil reserve. Moreover, nuclear energy is cheap and clean," he said.

Malaysia looking at nuclear energy use
Channel NewsAsia 19 Aug 08;

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's cabinet will deliberate next month on whether to adopt nuclear energy to combat high global oil prices, a minister said Tuesday.

Last month, state utility Tenaga said it could construct the country's first 1,000 MW nuclear power plant at a cost of US$3.1 billion after being asked by the government to look at the option.

"After it is tabled to the cabinet, an announcement will be made on our commitment to further preparations," Science, Technology and Innovation minister Maximus Ongkili told state news agency Bernama.

"This nuclear energy is vital following the increase in the world fuel price and our limited oil reserve. Moreover, nuclear energy is cheap and clean," he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said in June that Malaysia may consider adopting nuclear power to meet its long-term energy needs amid surging global oil prices.

Currently, half of Malaysia's power plants run on gas. Other sources include coal and hydropower.

Last year, the government said it would build Southeast Asia's first nuclear monitoring laboratory to allow scientists to check the safety of atomic energy programmes in the region.

- AFP/yb