Thaindian News

Kuala Lumpur, March 17 (IANS) Malaysia has said it is yet to take a final decision on building two nuclear power plants in the wake of the nuclear crisis in Japan.

The proposal to construct nuclear power plants for electricity has not been decided yet by the cabinet, Peter Chin Fah Kui, energy, green technology and water minister, said Wednesday.

“I think we have to wait for the report to be presented by the nuclear development agency under the Prime Minister’s Department,” The Star quoted the minister as saying.

Chin had announced plans to build two 1,000 MW nuclear power plants last December, causing mixed public reaction.

One plant was expected to be ready by 2021, and the other a year later.

He did not answer further questions on whether Malaysia would still push for the construction of the two power plants in light of the damage to Japan’s four nuclear reactors from a massive earthquake which struck that country March 11.

The safety of nuclear powered plants has become an issue in Malaysia.

Its longest-serving former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad reiterated his stand against having a nuclear power plant.

He noted that during his premiership, the government had decided on four fuel strategies namely oil, gas, coal and hydro.

“We had bad experience already with nuclear. I don’t know whether people are aware about it,” Bernama, the official news agency quoted Mahathir as saying.

Asked whether he would advise Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak not to have nuclear power plants, Mahathir said: “I’m not an adviser. That is why I use my blog.”