Malaysia: There is rising resistance to nuke option

Malaysia: There is rising resistance to nuke option

Malaysia is mulling over nuclear power as an energy option but an expert has
warned that there is rising public opposition towards nuclear energy due to
its many risks.

Prof Ramesh Thakur, a co-convenor for the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (APLN), said nuclear energy
could be an element towards having energy security as an option other than
renewable energy.

But he cautioned that it was important to consider other aspects such as
political, economical and security.

"Some might support nuclear power in principle, but if we ask, what if we
locate a nuclear reactor in your town, are they going to accept or be in
favour of that?

"The risk of possibility of an accident could be small but the impact would
be very high," he said.

Ramesh is also the director of the Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and
Disarmament (CNND) in the Crawford School at the Australian National
University.

The final report of the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR)
Mission Phase 1 will be tabled in the Cabinet, Minister in the Prime
Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri reportedly said.

The three-phase assessment, initiated by the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), concluded that Malaysia is thoroughly prepared and has
developed a considerable base of knowledge to make an informed decision
about introducing nuclear power.

The minister said Malaysia has 30 days to respond to the recommendation made
by the report that evaluates interested newcomer countries' status and
state-of-readiness in developing a nuclear power programme.

Ramesh said in deciding whether to introduce nuclear energy as a source of
power, the Government must weigh all the potential risks including the
possibility of a nuclear accident, smuggling and theft of nuclear components
as well as corruption.

He said it was important to have a regional discussion between countries
including on how governments would respond in cases of emergency.

He suggested the idea of a regional nuclear fuel supply system which can be
monitored transparently by several countries in the region.

"Perhaps the plant should be located in a very stable and low risk country
and market it to serve the entire region. At the same time, we should still
have renewable energy," he said.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/15/expert-there-is-rising-resi
stance-to-nuke-option/

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com