KUALA LUMPUR – The potential use of nuclear energy in Malaysia, if indeed considered, would adopt a fundamentally different approach compared to the large-scale reactors that have fueled fears following the disasters in Chernobyl and Fukushima, said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The environment minister moved to dispel the apprehensions involved by pointing out that the nation’s nuclear considerations do not revolve around massive reactors. Instead, he indicated a focus on small modular reactors, or SMRs.
“We are not talking about the huge reactors, what we are looking at are SMRs, or small modular reactors, the same sort of things you have on nuclear submarines, which you can do on a smaller scale and is much safer.”
The Setiawangsa MP said this during the inaugural PodaBoom podcast show The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly recently. It was hosted by Big Boom Media group editor in chief Terence Fernandez, group chief executive officer Datuk Zainul Arifin, as well as branding and marketing head and podcast coordinator for PodaBoom Shazmin Shamsuddin.
Nik Nazmi acknowledged that the spectre of safety and radioactive risks has long haunted discussions about nuclear power. However, he highlighted a shift in global sentiment.
“I totally understand the concerns. A lot of the concerns are the safety and radiation issues,” he said.
“Even (for) many environmentalists that came from a history of (an) anti-nuclear (stance), in the UK it was the campaign for nuclear disarmament. In Germany they had their campaigns and so on and so forth, some of them have made a U-turn by saying that nuclear is the only way to go because for one, the technology is proven. Two, is that it is zero emissions, but yes, the issue is the radioactive waste.”
He underscored the duality of nuclear energy – its potential as a clean energy source juxtaposed with the challenge of radioactive waste management.
However, the environment minister insisted that Malaysia’s consideration of nuclear energy does not imply immediate commitment.
“I’m not saying that we will go through that route immediately. I think (Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli) has addressed that issue as well. I’m saying that the current policy is no nuclear, but we should not close the door.”
On August 29, Nik Nazmi and Rafizi both signalled openness to exploring nuclear energy as part of Malaysia’s energy future.
They noted deliberations are ongoing and are expected to be presented to the National Energy Council, chaired by the prime minister, for further evaluation soon.
Nik Nazmi’s characterisation of the current stance on nuclear energy as “amber” last month suggests the government’s cautious approach, marking a departure from the 2018 decision – under then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration – to reject the use of nuclear power plants.
Reflecting on past decisions, he expressed regret about the closure of nuclear research facilities during the Dr Mahathir-Pakatan Harapan era. He emphasised the value of continued research and expertise in nuclear technology.
“Whatever it is, the research should be there. We have people from Oxbridge working in Malaysia today, in nuclear engineering but doing other work, simply because those facilities have closed down,” he said.
When discussing the potential timeline for nuclear energy adoption in Malaysia, Nik Nazmi said it could take decades.
“If we aim for a 2028 deployment, it would take a decade to navigate the necessary steps. Therefore, it makes sense to activate research and expertise now, leaving the door open for future possibilities, even though our current policy remains ‘no nuclear.’”
Additionally, Nik Nazmi hinted at the revival of nuclear institutions, noting that the cabinet would ultimately decide. – September 8, 2023
Catch the full interview with Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on episodes #1 and #2 of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly podcast this coming Monday (September 11)