The Malaysian Nuclear Power Corporation would proceed with accepting tenders for companies to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed nuclear power plants. 

Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Maximus Johnity Ongkili said that the cabinet would make a final decision after it receives the feasibility report.

He said that the government will be calling for tenders soon for an evaluation on the project which will look into its size, location and technology.

NONE"For now, it is our opinion that the government desire to establish to use nuclear energy as an option... will depend on outcome of the study," said Maximus (centre in photo).

He said this to reporters after chairing meeting with top ministry officials to brief them about the cabinet’s decision this morning.

However, Maximus said that the cabinet did not discuss this matter.

Concerns on Malaysia’s nuclear plans are growing after several nuclear reactors in Japan are on the brink of meltdown due to structural damage caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami which ravaged the country’s northeastern coast last Friday.

Earlier this week, both Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin remained non-committal when quizzed if Malaysia should proceed with its nuclear ambitions in view of the situation in Japan.

Chin had announced last December that Malaysia would be building two 1,000MW nuclear power plants to wean the country of its dependency on fossil fuels for electricity.

Malaysia is safe

Maximus said that the Malaysian Nuclear Power Corporation is under the purview of the Prime Minister's Department and thus he is unsure of the deadline for the evaluation process.

He said that once an evaluation is completed, a report would be submitted to the cabinet for consideration.

azlanMeanwhile, Maximus said that radiation being emitted from the troubled Japanese nuclear reactors would not reach Malaysia as winds are bringing radioactive particles to the Pacific Ocean.

Maximus said that Malaysia’s Environmental Radiation Monitoring System (ERMS) is currently monitoring six cities - Chuping, Ipoh, Api-api, Kuantan, Kudat and Senai - which recorded radiation levels of between 0.046 and 0.251 microsievert, which is considered harmless.

For comparison, a dental X-ray exposure would measure at about 100 microsievert.

As a precaution, the port authorities have began screening imports from Japan with radiation detection equipment.

This has begun since March 15 on orders of the Health Ministry. Maximus said that all food products arriving from Japan would need to be certified radiation free.

He urged the public to remain calm and not be swayed by rumours about radiation poisoning.