12 Upfront MALAYSIAN TODAY May 5-19, 2011 Upfront 13

simple reason that there are just too are going to deplete someday (and by the as petroleum, drove out indigenous people from
many consequences that come with it ie looks of it, pretty soon actually). And as natural gas, and their ancestral home and for what?

To nuke
excessive nuclear waste as well as cancer for those who feel we’re not up to it, well water turbines.” For all the excess energy which
and radiation poisoning [if there is leak]. such little faith in our ability is definitely “It is true that with we aren’t even utilising to its full
Upfront It’s just a disaster waiting to happen. not helping anyone. Saying we lack the nuclear technology, potential. So no, I don’t think we need

or not?
In the midst of Japan’s recent nuclear
catastrophe, Malaysia is considering
building our very own nuclear plants.
Yeevon Ong asks Malaysian youths
what they think.
ENERGY, Green Technology, and Water
Minister Datuk Peter Chin announced last
December that two planned nuclear plants
for Malaysia would start operating from
2021. Already by this year or perhaps 2014,
I believe that we should figure out technical ability to handle a nuclear it will enhance it just yet.”
another way eg solar or wind power for reactor is like equating Malaysian our economic
Malaysia. After all, we do have sunlight graduates to a bunch of walking talking growth. Our Daryl, 25, Marketing personnel
all year round.” Homer Simpson clones (he worked in a country will be “I think it is a great idea in 10 to 15
nuclear plant). Sure, initially we would steps ahead. There years when we have the infrastructure
Kheong Theng need technical assistance but I believe would be more investors coming in, for it. I don’t think we have the
Kah, 23, that someday we will be able to harness more job prospects for the locals and technical expertise now to maintain it
PM Najib Tun Razak a press conference in Biotechnology nuclear energy ourselves. We have to etc. However, we should all be aware or even for crisis management if there
Seoul. student take a step forward sometime, don’t we? of its repercussions should there be an were an accident. We would most
What do young Malaysians say? “It’s too dangerous. “Yet despite all the arguments I still accident. So really, I have a few questions likely be outsourcing it to foreigners
If Japan can’t can’t shake off the doubts I have... Maybe for those who are handling this project so really, how Malaysian is that except
FOR handle it what it’s because the nuclear meltdown in – (1) Do we have sufficient knowledge for the soil the plants are built on? I
makes you think Japan that just happened has gotten a on nuclear technology? (2) Are we don’t think we need the amount of
Esther Yap, 22, geologist we can? After lot of us Malaysians staring warily at ready to face the negative impact of the energy for our consumption at the
“Personally I am in wonder of how the all this a nuclear nuclear tech like it’s a crate of TNT with technology? And (3) Do we have the moment.”
greatest amount of energy can be produced reactor we’re a cherry on top.” expertise to manage and maintain it?”
by just minute particles.” talking about here. It needs a lot of “And another question that has It looks like among young Malaysians,
“Malaysia will definitely benefit from maintenance and technical people. I been playing in my head is: Don’t we Nazrul, 27, TM Engineer some are in favour and some are against
nuclear energy, and yes to an extent, we do don’t think we’re up to it.” have other ways to spend that money? “As of now, I don’t think nuclear is the setting up one of the most productive yet

the government hopes that specifications
for the plants’ requirements would be
complete. These plants are expected to
eventually generate 1,000 MW each.
“Everybody wants… renewable energy
sources but what about cost? Can we force
the people to accept high tariffs?” Chin has
said in a report.
Of course, then the Fukushima I nuclear
accident happened. Reports after this
date quoted Chin sounding less certain,
stressing that the Cabinet could not make
any decision without a report by the
Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation.
“Whether we will continue or not that
is not for me to say but for the cabinet to
decide,” he told reporters.
An online news site also reported that
proposals for the construction of a twin-
unit nuclear power plant generating up to
2 gigawatts and costing a total of RM21.3
billion, has been submitted.
“If, at some point in the future, we
decide to go down this road, we’ll make
sure that we get the best technology,” said
need it in the long run– think depleting
resources –but those involved in the
generation of nuclear energy must be people
who are highly responsible and have great
integrity. I have much reservation about
allowing those who are self-centered and
only good at talking run the show! See I’m
not even worried about natural disasters
causing radiation yet!
Simon, 25, geophysicist
“We have no choice but to opt for nuclear
energy to sustain our economic development
or we will not grow economically. Nuclear
is definitely the future whether we like it
or not as oil is getting more difficult to be
discovered. However, better nuclear power
management and crisis mitigation methods
are required.”
Atif, 24, business student
“I think we should run on nuclear energy
because it’s cheaper, more efficient, and
imposes less burden on the environment.
Because of the amount of energy nuclear can
provide, one nuclear
plant can replace
a few charcoal
generators. I think
it is worth the risk if
you want to reduce
cost from charcoal
plants in the long
run. Moreover,
charcoal plants emit
large amounts of smoke and take up a lot of
surface area. We definitely have the potential
to house nuclear plants as we are free from
natural disasters.”
“However, I don’t think we are ready just
yet. I’m not worried about the plant because
nuclear plants are generally engineered to
be safe. It’s the managing and maintenance
where I worry we might falter.”
Navinderan Selvanatham, 23,
biotechnology student
“… There have been significant safety
measures included in reactor designs after
the Japanese reactors were built.”
Dinesh Jared Tiong Oon King, Why can’t we use that money on other option to cater to our energy demands. hazardous sources of energy.
Sundram, 22, 23, Biotechnology sources of renewable energy that are The most important thing to do now is The main question seems to be, is it
biotechnology student more eco-friendly? We have a lot of to educate all Malaysians to make full worth putting the well-being of the nation
student “I don’t think the sunlight all year round so wouldn’t solar use of our current energy wisely. We at risk for more energy? And can we not
“We aren’t in an area government should energy be a viable option?” have to promote the true concept of somehow make the most from what nature
that has earthquakes. risk our people’s “And we are also one of the top green energy consumption which will has graced us with, ample amounts of
Sure we’re near the safety by building producers of palm oil in the world. sustain beyond generations.” sunlight and rain?
‘Pacific ring of fire’ a nuclear reactor Wouldn’t our money be better “Also, I think the funds to build
but… I think it’s here. Plus it’s really spent pushing for breakthroughs in the plants should be channeled to
ridiculous that we expensive. And that’s not something biomass as an energy source? We’re dedicated research groups to find the
refuse to support the government’s push for I want to have looming in front of me practically loaded with the stuff! As a best method to fully utilize our current
progress. If that’s the case we should still be when I start paying taxes. Besides, don’t biotechnology student myself I can say energy sources, regardless of it being
living in wooden houses.” we have better uses for RM 21 billion?” that the potential for biomass as a fuel hydrocarbon or not, and enhance our
source for energy production is huge. So capability to find other energy sources
AGAINST Jeremy Ryan, 23, why not capitalize on what we have and excluding nuclear energy. For example,
Biotechnology spearhead technology in that field?” Malaysia is a country that has access to
Michelle Boon, student the sun and we are blessed with quite
25, Editor in “I feel that it’s Najihah Azhar, 22, TM engineer a lot of rain. These are good alternative
an educational good that the “It is a good idea but I do not agree that energy sources.”
publishing government has we should have nuclear plants anytime
company decided to look soon. I think we should wait until the Khairi, 25, student
“I disagree that into another source entire nation is well-educated and “Remember the Bakun Dam
Malaysia should of energy. After all prepared. Also, I personally think that controversy? The dam is extremely
run on nuclear our dependence on fossil fuel can only Malaysia has sufficient energy supply. mismanaged and it is almost a failure.
energy for the keep us going for so long. Gas and coal We have various types of resources such They had to clear out vast land and