comment The federal government’s decision to approve a nuclear power plant in Malaysia is both premature and unbalanced, and has been made in the absence of public debate and consultation.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin said the Economic Council has approved nuclear power on the basis that:

  • Malaysia is overly reliant on coal and gas;
  • Nuclear power, while initially expensive, is more cost- and energy-efficient once operational; and
  • Nuclear power is ‘renewable’ and is therefore ‘the only viable option toward our long term energy needs’.

The nuclear industry’s track record is extremely spotty on matters of safety, efficiency, cost and environmental impact.

Last year, the top official in charge of British nuclear safety admitted to a five-year cover-up by regulators of a nuclear power plant located 80km from the centre of London, which had been leaking radioactive waste for 14 years.

osa official secrets act 01 The Malaysian government still has a strong policy of official secrecy and there are reasonable grounds to fear the results of the combination of secrecy and a poor safety culture.

The minister projects that construction may take 10 years, but it can often take longer and cost much more than projected.

The efficiency of newer-generation plants in Britain fluctuates at between 40 percent and 70 percent.

The next generation plants being constructed in Finland have run four years behind schedule and 50 percent over budget because of flaws in ‘safety significant features’.

nuclear power plant Aware of the intimidating start-up costs, government officials have been trying to draw attention to low operational costs, but nuclear plants incur massive expenses for safe decommissioning and the disposal of waste.

Financing for decommissioning is often poor or absent even in the US.

A new-generation nuclear plant may be able to operate for 50 years, but the waste it produces has a radioactive half-life of hundreds of thousands of years.

Real 'renewables'

When questioned on the subject late last year, the Tenaga Nasional Bhd CEO said the company is ready to operate a nuclear power plant despite having no waste management plan.

It is fundamentally irresponsible to go ahead with nuclear power without a thorough assessment and discussion on the impact of nuclear waste. The public needs to know where and how this will be disposed of.

The Asian Rare Earth case in Perak has established the federal government’s dismal track record in dumping radioactive waste on poor communities.

malaysia and nuclear reactor and technology The minister also said he has obtained the go-ahead to identify potential sites for the plant, but added it would have to be built in an area with high power demand. This implies it would be sited near to a densely populated area.

Citizens have a right to know of the risks inherent in nuclear power, but the federal government has made all its decisions at cabinet level without consultation and debate with the public.

AFP quoted the minister as saying that the government is not keen in debating with critics. This is unbecoming of a minister whose government promotes the notion of ‘People First, Performance Now’.

The minister is also mistaken in believing that nuclear power is ‘renewable’. Real renewable energy comes from the sun, wind, water and plants.

Nuclear fuel, like coal and gas, is dug out of the ground - under very polluting conditions - and needs to be securely disposed of when spent. This is not renewable energy by any sensible definition. As with coal and gas, we will have to import uranium.

NONE Nuclear power does not appear to present any great advantage in terms of energy security. Malaysia already has several factories manufacturing world-class solar panels. We should be looking into fully utilising such capacity.

We should also engage in a fundamental shift from supply-side energy management - i.e. building more and more power plants - to demand-side management such as cutting down on inefficient use. This can save both money and precious fuel resources.

I believe that the federal government’s lopsided approach to nuclear power is a result of avoiding pubic debate and consultation. This issue needs to be debated in Parliament and before the public.

I call on the minister to have an open and forthright debate with me on this urgent matter of national interest.

 

CHARLES SANTIAGO is the DAP member of parliament for Klang.

Critics question need for nuclear power plan