In the 1970s,
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) had actually examined nuclear power as an option
after oil prices surged when the main producing countries decided to turn off
the tap. But Malaysia found gas in Terengganu and the government decided to use
that as the main source of fuel for the power sector. That was about 20 years
ago and in another 10 years or so, we would have used up all of that gas. Now,
TNB is actively pushing for the government to use nuclear energy and it wants a
decision around 2013 to comfortably head off a power crunch sometime in 2025.
SHAHRIMAN JOHARI takes a look at the nuclear issue and the concerns Malaysians
have over the energy source. This was taken from The New Straits Times. However
there are some challenges that being faced by the country in realizing the project.
These challenges has to be solve first before we could benefit the green energy
of nuclear power.
One of the key challenges that
government has been facing is the people acceptance on nuclear. It is the norm
of not only Malaysian, probably most of the world would be imagining the
picture of mushroom smoke cloud when they hear the word nuclear. This are one
of the misconception that the people have. Few also directly translate nuclear
as bomb. A bomb which can cause big explosion and mass destruction. Then
there’s also radiation, the thing that people think could end our lives. These
are all typical answer from everywhere in the world if we questioned on their
understanding about nuclear. But the fact disagrees. As we could see, many
countries have been implementing nuclear power plant. Same as ours, the people
also have been opposing the project initially. However after they learn about
nuclear energy, and being convinced that the plant construction is safe, the
project was carried through.
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| First Atomic Bombing over Japan occured in Hiroshima and Nagasaki |
Having an approval for the plant
site is quite a challenging task. People are aware about nuclear radiation, but
they do not aware about the safety precaution that has been utilized to manage
the nuclear radiation. They also does not aware on the protective shield that
could prevent the nuclear radiation from affecting the surroundings. What they
do know is if a nuclear power plant is to be constructed, the site should be
located hundreds of kilometers from the nearest living habitat, as if in the
middle of the desert would be the best idea. It is true that a nuclear power
plant could potentially emits radiation but how about the workers? Do they
expose themselves with the radiation? Yes, but in a safe amount that a human
body can take. So, can a power plant be located near a town or a village? Of
course no because of the safety precaution. But because of this, we will be
assured that placing a nuclear power plant is just like approving a site for a
hydro-power plant, provided that the safety precaution and safety standard are
being kept by the nuclear agency.
It is hard to implement nuclear
power plant without having public support from the localities. Current progress
of the implementation of nuclear power plant in Malaysia is to wait for the
government permission. The things that are holding the government from giving
the permission to proceed is because of the public support. A support from the
people could indicate that the people are accepting use of nuclear energy in
Malaysia. Apart from that, the technology consultation from the host country
also plays a big role in realizing the implementation of nuclear power plant.
Without this public support, the permission to proceed with the project are yet
to be assured.
Government has tried to come up
with several potential solution for the problems. One of it is to conduct a
public opinion survey to identify priority segments and concerns. Then an
awareness project will be beneficial to expose the people with nuclear power
energy by organizing a public awareness campaign. Also the government will keep
its transparency through the project implementation. Other than that to obtain
the local support, a public information program would be the best solution.
Also there are some option for localities to bid to host nuclear plant as in
Japan and Republic of Korea
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