Ahad, 26 September 2010

Charles Santiago

Charles Santiago


ETP: Najib’s Nuclear ‘Comprehensive Study’ should be Made Public & Debated before including Nuclear Power Plant as an Entry Point Project.

Posted: 26 Sep 2010 10:55 PM PDT

 

I am deeply concerned that the government has included the proposed nuclear power planet as one of the 131 entry-point projects (EPP) of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

Yet, in May this year Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak stated in his 1Malaysia blog that, with respect to nuclear power, "Before embarking on such an important decision we must conduct a comprehensive study on it."

Following public outcry over the nuclear proposal he added, "We will consult experts and we will consult the rakyat, as there must be public engagement."

Until now, there has not been any meaningful debate or a genuine public consultation process by the government.

If the federal government has embarked on a nuclear programme, then where is the "comprehensive study" that backed this decision? If one has not been conducted, then what is nuclear power plant doing in the ETP as an entry-point project?

In July, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin said that the government will only make a final decision on nuclear energy after studying the findings of the Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development Plan scheduled for completion in 2013.

How can these statements be consistent with the plan to launch the finalised ETP on October 26 when the sole ETP 'Open Day' last Tuesday only made cursory attempts at public feedback?

Public relations efforts organised by the Malaysian Nuclear Agency do not constitute a balanced effort to educate the public on the risks and alleged benefits of nuclear power.

Also, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water has openly declared its bias in favour of nuclear energy when it should instead be prioritising national public safety and long-term

sustainability. How can its Minister declare unqualified support for nuclear when even the Prime Minister acknowledges the need for "comprehensive study"?

Nuclear energy is hardly our only power option for the future. Najib also stated previously that, "All options for electricity generation, from biomass to wind, will be explored."

It is worrying therefore that in the 'lab' responsible for developing ETP energy proposals nuclear agencies were represented, whilst the Malaysian solar industry was not invited to participate.

And yet, the ETP plans to make Malaysia the world's number two solar manufacturer, displacing Germany. But there are no plans for making solar power a significant contributor to our national grid. If we are to be a leading contender in clean solar energy, why is the riskier, hazardous nuclear option being pursued?

This leads me to ask whether there are vested interests behind the nuclear power plant project. Despite public opposition and the presence of cheaper, safer, and more efficient energy alternatives, the nuclear option keeps returning again and again.

Thus, I urge the Prime Minister to unveil the 'comprehensive study', with a view to  having a public discussion and securing a national mandate, before including nuclear energy and building of a

nuclear power plant as part of Entry Point Projects in the ETP.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang.


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