The Physicians for Peace and Social Responsibility (PPSR) has urged the people to protest against the use of nuclear energy if this proves an effective way to get the government's attention.

Dr Ronald S McCoy, founder of the NGO, said street demonstrations are a viable option "to get the government to engage with the public".

He was responding to a question at a forum on Malaysia's nuclear policy, when asked what could the average citizen do to address the issue.

NONE McCoy (left) said, however, that the first option is for the people to raise the issue with their elected representatives.

The next step is to have open debates in a rational manner so that the people have a say on the nation's power options.

Responding to the same question, fellow panellist Gurmit Singh suggested that parliamentarians form select committees and hold an open hearing on the matter.

Gurmit Singh is chairperson of the Centre for Environment Technology Development (Cetdem).

He also called for a public referendum to be conducted on the country's nuclear policy.

Gurmit asked members of the public to use the power of the Internet to spread the word.

NONE Saying that it is an important matter, Gurmit urged the public to make the nuclear policy an election issue.

"We have had eight by-elections (since last year). Raise this issue during the general election and by-elections and (let it) decide your vote."

The forum, entitled ‘Burning Questions about Malaysia's Nuclear Policy' was held last night. It was jointly organised by Cetdem and PPSR.

On a suggestion to set up a committee to educate the public, Gurmit said this would merely be a way for a "group of people to be seen to be doing something when they are really doing nothing".

He said that nuclear energy is too big an issue for just a few to decide on, and that it is something on which the public must have a say.

Waste management a safety issue

McCoy said that there has been no change in the last 50 years in waste management in nuclear plants and that he does not expect anything to change soon.

He was not optimistic that there would be any technological advancement in managing waste in the next five years to change his views dramatically on the issue.

nuclear power plant reactor fusion 040309 02 Both Gurmit and McCoy noted that there is a lack of information in the public domain on this issue.

"This is largely due to Official Secrets Act. What's so secretive about the policies?" Gurmit asked.

Atomic Energy Licensing Board director-general Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan, who was in the audience, assured the panellists and the floor that the government practises a zero-tolerance policy insofar as security is concerned.

However, he could not provide any assurances on the aspect of nuclear waste management.

During the forum, members of the public also raised the possibility of harnessing other energy sources like the ocean and wind energy.

McCoy's opening address can be accessed here.