Malaysia is in the final stages of revising the Atomic Energy Licencing Act (AELA) to accommodate the use of nuclear power.

English-language daily New Straits Times reported that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the revisions will put the Act on par with international nuclear policies, focusing on safety, security and safeguards.

This is an improvement to the present AELA which only focuses on safety and liability.

Muhyiddin, who spoke at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea yesterday, also said that nuclear power is an option for Malaysia, “but the government hasn’t decided on that yet.”

He said, among others, Malaysia has:

  • Endorsed the Statement of Principles on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism;
  • Endorsed the International Atomic Energy Agency  (IAEA) code of conduct on the safety and security of radioactive sources;
  • Endorsed the guidance on the import and export of radioactive sources;
  • Set up the Malaysian Nuclear Power Corporation to function as the implementer should Malaysia turn to nuclear power as a source of energy;
  • Established a working relationship with the IAEA to increase training and awareness, and to build capacity;
  • Contributed to global efforts to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.