The minister in charge of nuclear power, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui, has deftly refused to state the government's stand on atomic energy for power generation despite the matter being directly under his purview.

Chin refused to affirm or deny the government's nuclear ambitions in the face of a possible atomic reactor meltdown in earthquake devastated Japan.

NONE Cornered by reporters after a launch of a lithium-ion battery-powered motorcycle at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur this morning, Chin ( left ) said "no comment" several times when asked if the government was planning to forge ahead with its nuclear power plant plan.

He also muddled up the names of the agencies in the three-minute press conference, frequently referring to the Nuclear Power Corporation, an agency under the Prime Minister's Department,

as 'Nuclear Development Agency'.

Malaysia plans to build two 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plants by 2022. This was announced by Chin in December last year.

However, fears over the safety of nuclear plants have arisen with Japan, a major operator of such plants for electricity generation, being threatened with a meltdown at its stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant after reactors failed to cool down following last Friday's 9.0 earthquake in the Miyagi prefecture.

The transcript of Chin's press conference follows:

Reporter: What is the government's position on nuclear reactors? Are we proceeding with them?

Chin: Up to this stage, I think the best thing is for you guys to contact the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA).

They have got all the reports from International Atomic Energy Agency and the IAEA doesn't contact (the ministry) because the focal point for our country is the MNA. So, best you get the latest from them.

What about Malaysia? Will we be proceeding with the two plants?

I think this one is something that we will have to look at because the (Nuclear Power Corporation) will have to come up with the paper, a report, and submit to the government for the government to evaluate the situation.

As to whether we will continue or not, that is not for me to say but for the cabinet to decide.

So, at the moment, does it mean that it's on?

Well, the government has not made any other decision, so I think we have to wait for the report to be presented by the (Nuclear Power Corporation) under the JPM (PM's Department), so...

NONE So it's on track then?

What do you mean?

As in, are we in the tendering process, or is it halted...?

I have no comment on that, whether it is halted or anything like that. I will not comment on that.

Then what about the gag order on the nuclear agency? They were told that the minister has instructed them not to talk to the media.

I don't know. I have no knowledge of that.

So, have we finalised the plan? What is the time line?

We have already announced that the time frame is by 2021.

Will the time frame be delayed?

I cannot answer you at this juncture.

Has the decision been made whether to go ahead?

I do not know, this depends on the paper (to be) presented to cabinet.

When will the paper be presented?

I don't know, you have to ask them. That is why I said the best is, they are the focal point, so ask them, lah .

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