‘Indonesian President still reluctant’ on nuclear plans despite UN approval

Lilian Budianto, The Jakarta Post 11 Feb 10;

Indonesia has gained endorsement by the UN nuclear watchdog to develop a nuclear power plant, but President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is reluctant to pursue it as it could see his popularity plummet, say experts and lawmakers.

Hudi Hastowo, chairman of the National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan), said Wednesday that Jakarta had been given an endorsement last year by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develop nuclear power, but it had not been followed up with a plan of action, despite proposals of cooperation from major nuclear states.

Japan, South Korea, France as well as Iran have offered help to Jakarta develop nuclear power, but the President is yet to approve the plans.

The current powersupply shortage has forced the state-run power firm to impose alternating blackouts in many areas, with foreign investors complaining the country needs to upgrade its power infrastructure before they invest.

Hudi said that Indonesia had established cooperation with the US over nuclear power for peaceful use that would expire in 2030.

“We have also sought cooperation with Russia and South Korea, but that has not been ratified by the President,” he said.

Hudi was speaking at the launch of a report by a nuclear watchdog sponsored by Australia and Japan.

The International Commission for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament said nuclear disarmament should be pursued by “minimizing” the number of nuclear warheads to no more than 2,000, by 2025, with the goal of “eliminating” them altogether.

Indonesia relies on coal, oil and gas to generate electricity for its population of 240 million. The government has sought to develop four nuclear plants that could support 10 percent of its electricity demands by 2025.

Muhammad Najib, a lawmaker from the National Mandate Party (PAN), said the government should go ahead with nuclear development despite safety concerns from environmentalists.

With the IAEA endorsement, he said, “The President should see the nuclear power plant as an opportunity rather than as a challenge that could harm his presidency,” he said.

Beside environmental concerns, observers have said that Jakarta might be reluctant to develop nuclear power through cooperation with other nuclear states because it does not want to trigger geopolitical concerns from other countries.

However Hamzah Thayeb, the Foreign Ministry’s director general for Asia and Pacific affairs, said Indonesia had no particular reservations about whom it would cooperate with.