Malaysia to amend atomic law to explore nuclear energy
Chang said the move to enact the law would reflect Malaysia's commitment to exploring nuclear energy as a future energy source.
"The ministry is currently in the process of amending the Atomic Energy Bill. If we receive Cabinet approval, we hope to table it during this session," he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
On March 10, Chang said that the government will be amending the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 to further strengthen the legal infrastructure dealing with nuclear technology.
At the time, the government was engaging with stakeholders to gather input before moving forward with the use of nuclear technology as an energy source, which is expected to be incorporated into the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Chang, in Parliament today, said Malaysia has the laboratory expertise to extract thorium, but lacks the research and development capacity to utilise the element as a source of electricity — unlike countries such as China.
"We are enhancing our research and development capabilities through collaboration with nations that have expertise, such as China, Russia, India and the United States," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim (PN–Kuala Terengganu).
Chang said that a pre-feasibility study conducted by a committee under the ministry had been completed, with preliminary findings indicating that Malaysia has significant potential to adopt nuclear technology as an energy source.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
PSD to lead study on compulsory retirement age
Mohd Iskandar Ibrahim PUTRAJAYA: The Public Service Department will lead a study on the compulsory retirement age in line with the country's transition to an ageing nation. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said this today on the sidelines of a public lecture. The government plans to review the compulsory retirement age under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which was tabled last week. In May, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the government was considering raising the retirement age from 60 to 65. She said the change was reasonable because many individuals aged 60 and above remained active. Various stakeholders have welcomed the proposal, saying it could help workers boost their retirement savings and was in line with trends in other countries.
New Straits Times
3 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
'Business-to-business deals for Multi-Lane Fast Flow system, no cost for govt'
KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no financial implications for the government in implementing the Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) system, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the cabinet made this decision after the termination of an appointment between the government and the proposed company last December. He said the ministry was committed to implementing the MLFF toll collection system to prioritise the comfort and convenience of highway users. "On July 25, the ministry presented a cabinet paper on a new direction for the implementation of MLFF. "One of the key points is that service providers can now engage directly with 33 toll concessionaires on a business-to-business basis to facilitate implementation. "The second point is that the system will be implemented without any financial implications for the government. "The government has decided that this matter will be resolved on a business-to-business basis and there will not be a single cent of financial implication for the government. "As such, the issue of how many billions it will cost does not arise as the government will not bear any equipment or infrastructure costs when the MLFF system is implemented at 33 toll plazas," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question by Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) on the status of the MLFF system and planned improvements for it. In February, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended that the ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority conduct a more detailed cost-benefit analysis for the MLFF project. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had said the committee concluded that implementing the MLFF system would not fully resolve traffic congestion on toll highways. In response, the ministry said the MLFF system, to be implemented by PLUS Malaysia Bhd, would be an independent initiative by the highway concessionaire. Previously, implementing the MLFF system was estimated to cost RM3.46 billion. Commenting further, Ahmad said the government had set a two-year timeframe for the implementation of the MLFF system. "All 33 toll concessionaires are free to engage with any company they want to work with." On the issue of tailgating, he said additional enforcement mechanisms might be introduced to address this. He said the ministry was mulling restricting road tax renewals for motorists who evade toll payments once the MLFF system was implemented. "With MLFF, user discipline will be essential. We will use RFID technology and Automatic Number Plate Recognition.
New Straits Times
3 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Ruckus in Dewan Rakyat over use of Terengganu dialect term 'mambar'
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today over the use of the Terengganu dialect word 'mambar' by an opposition lawmaker to describe six Bersatu members of parliament (MPs) who had pledged support for the government. The incident began after Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN–Hulu Terengganu) asked Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to clarify the status of the six MPs, and whether they should be considered part of the government or the opposition. Rosol described the position of the six MPs as 'mambar,' a term he said refers to something not solid or "in between". RSN Rayer (PH–Jelutong) then raised a point of order, calling the term inappropriate and disrespectful. Rosol responded by saying, "Even that is sensitive to you." Chong Zhemin (PH–Kampar) also raised an objection, calling on Rosol to retract his statement. "Everyone understands it is a subtle insult. It is unparliamentary," Chong said. Johari, unfamiliar with the term, said he could not make a definitive ruling. "I do not even know what it means, so I cannot consider it unparliamentary," he said, before asking Rosol to avoid using the word again to prevent confusion. The matter escalated further when Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN–Kota Baru) interjected, suggesting the term may have different meanings depending on the region. The debate then devolved into a shouting match between Rayer, Takiyuddin, and Radzi Jidin (PN–Putrajaya), which included a reference to an alleged insult to Islam by Takiyuddin. Johari ruled that while the term might be harmless in some regions, its meaning is not universally understood. "Everyone, please be seated. The term may have different meanings depending on the state. In Kedah, for instance, it can mean beautiful, great, or excellent," he said, concluding that the term should be avoided to prevent confusion.
