MARTIN CARVALHO The Star 3 Nov 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: Plans to develop the nation's first two nuclear power plants have been postponed to after 2030, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nancy Shukri.
She said the time frame was extended following a feasibility study considering the possible effects of natural disasters on the plants.
"We have extended the time line to consider building the nuclear plants from 2021 to 2030,” said Nancy.
"This is taking into consideration local and international sentiments, particularly the effects of the tsunami that affected the Fukishima nuclear plant in Japan in March 2011," she added when answering a question by Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid (BN-Kota Tinggi) during Minister's Question Time in Parliament Thursday.
She said that any decision to build the nuclear power plants would be based on the laws governing the use of nuclear power.
"Based on the feasibility study's timeline, it would take more than 11 years to complete the nuclear plants from the date the Government decides to go ahead with plans to build them," she added.
Nancy assured lawmakers that Malaysia was not looking at nuclear power for military purposes, saying that this was in line with the terms laid down in the Asean Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) treaty.
Malaysia is a signatory to the treaty.
"Malaysia isn’t the only Asean nation exploring nuclear power for its energy needs. Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are also studying nuclear power to generate electricity,” she said.
Nancy added that Vietnam had recently signed an agreement with Russia to build the first nuclear power plant in their country
To a question by Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS-Hulu Langat), Nancy assured that the public would be informed if the country decides to move towards nuclear power.
She said the Government welcomes feedback on the matter from all quarters, as any decision to resort to nuclear power would affect the nation as a whole.
The proposed programme to develop two nuclear plants was reported to cost about RM23.1bil.
The projects were supposed to start in 2013 but rescheduled to 2021.
No decision so far to build nuke plants, says Nancy
The Star 4 Nov 16;
There is no decision so far to build nuclear power plants in Malaysia, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic) said.
Although the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) targeted nuclear power plants to be operational by 2021, she said the move would be postponed as the Government needed to take into account latest developments and prevailing sentiments at home and abroad, especially regarding the impact of the 2011 tsunami on the Japanese nuclear power programme.
“Initial information obtained from the feasibility study shows the timeline required for implementation and completion of the nuclear power plant is at least 11 years from the date the Government made the decision,” she said.
Based on the study, the nuclear power programme in Malaysia would only be able to operate after 2030, subject to the approval of a new and comprehensive Atomic Energy Regulatory Bill, she added.
Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid (BN-Kota Tinggi) had asked the date of the construction of the two nuclear power plants as stated in the ETP, which is part of the New Economic Model announced on Oct 25, 2010.
Nancy said Malaysia’s nuclear development programme was about generating electricity and not to produce weapons.
“Malaysia is not the only country in the region which is exploring the possibility of implementing a nuclear programme for energy; neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are also working towards it,” she said.
Vietnam, Nancy added, had even signed an agreement with Russia to build the first nuclear power plant in the country.
More studies needed, nuclear power programme will only happen after 2030, says Nancy
LAILI ISMAIL New Straits Times 3 Nov 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's nuclear power programme will only be able to kick off after 2030, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri today.
Speaking at the Parliament today, Nancy said the government has yet to decide on the nuclear power project development as its feasibility study indicated a different timeline compared to the one stated in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
"Based on the feasibility study, we need at least 11 years to complete the power plant, from the date the government decides to start the bidding process.
"Although the ETP stated 2021 as the target year, it has to be shifted as the government has to take into account the current development and sentiment on nuclear power specifically the tsunami effect on Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant in March 2011," Nancy (BN-Batang Sadong) said in response to question from BN's Kota Tinggi MP Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid.
Noor Ehsanuddin had asked for the minister, who oversees Malaysian Innovation Agency, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the Malaysian Nuclear Power Corporation, to state the date of construction for the two nuclear power plants as stipulated in the ETP.
Nancy said the nuclear power generation progamme would only be able to operate after 2030 which would still be subjected to the approval of the atomic energy regulation bill.
