Does Malaysia ready to for NPP technology?

          Touching on the fear of the people for nuclear, there was a lack of information about nuclear power and the authorities needed to keep the people informed of its advantages. Countries in Europe like Switzerland and Britain which had stopped using Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) at one time are now using it again. Nuclear power is clean but the people have the wrong perception which in part is also due to the misuse of nuclear weapons in the second world war. People talked about safety but remember there had only been two accidents involving NPP. But these are due to human errors and the lack of safety devices.

        Safety is an important consideration in having a NPP and will not be ignored according to Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Noramly Muslim, Chairman of Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board. Malaysia is ready to operate its own NPP and will not face any problems as it has enough qualified manpower to oversee the implementation and operation of a nuclear powered electricity generating plant. In fact, Malaysia has been sending its officers to Australia for training in nuclear science since 1985. Today’s second and third generation NPPs are safer and Malaysia will build NPP incorporating these new safety measures and sophisticated technology.

Datuk Dr Noramly Muslim giving his speech

          Malaysia will follow Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh which will be using their first NPP in 2020. Bangladesh even though not as industrialised as Malaysia will have its NPP in 2020. It can also tap into the thousands of its experts and staff trained in nuclear science now working in advanced countries.

          Even though the cost of buildidng a NPP is very high up to US$ 6billion, depending on its size and where it is sited, it can be in operation for about 60 years and will benefit up to two or three generations.