logo
Govt weighs nuclear power to boost energy security

Govt weighs nuclear power to boost energy security

JOHOR BARU: The government is reviewing the potential role of nuclear energy in Malaysia's future electricity generation mix, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said the government is assessing nuclear energy's capacity to provide a clean, stable, and competitive power source.
This review is in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which aims to diversify energy sources, strengthen long-term energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and meet carbon reduction targets.
"MyPOWER Corporation, as the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation, is tasked with coordinating preparations in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines, involving ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure an integrated national approach," Fadillah said.
Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, was speaking at the 12th Asean Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy annual meeting.
The five-day event gathered Asean members, observers, IAEA representatives, and dialogue partners.
Fadillah also said Malaysia was committed to the Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty and urged nuclear-armed states to sign and ratify the protocol without delay.
Separately, Fadillah launched the Gamma Spectrum Water Monitoring Station.
The station will be installed in the country's waters for proactive radiation detection and rapid response to potential radiological threats, safeguarding communities and future generations.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Asean urban growth must balance prosperity with equity
Asean urban growth must balance prosperity with equity

New Straits Times

time6 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Asean urban growth must balance prosperity with equity

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must ensure that the prosperity generated by rapid urbanisation is shared equitably among all communities and not achieved at the expense of the vulnerable, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said urban areas in Asean are already home to over 370 million people, contributing 70 per cent of the region's gross domestic product (GDP) and powering a US$3.8 trillion economy in 2024 and by 2050, seven in 10 Asean citizens are projected to live in cities, making urban centres critical drivers of regional growth. "However, prosperity is not evenly shared. "We still see gleaming skyscrapers casting shadows over informal settlements, and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity. "As Asean moves towards becoming the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, we must ensure urbanisation delivers not only growth, but fairness and opportunity for all," he said in his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) here today. Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Asean Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto. Fadillah who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said as Asean Chair, Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to deepening regional cooperation, advancing economic integration, and safeguarding peace and stability in Southeast Asia for the region's communities. He said that urbanisation must serve as a unifying force, urging urgent solutions to challenges such as housing shortages, mobility bottlenecks and climate risks, including recurring floods, choking smog and sinking streets. "Inclusivity means no one is left behind. "Women, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities must all have a voice in shaping our future cities," he said adding that accessible transport, affordable housing and digital connectivity for rural migrants are essential. On sustainability, Fadillah said it was "not optional" but essential for survival, noting threats such as rising sea levels in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and intensifying heatwaves across the region. Praising proven Asean innovations in finding climate crisis solutions, Fadillah said Singapore's green building standards and Indonesia's renewable energy transition to Bandung's digital governance and Brunei's smart water management are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and respecting Asean's diversity. Fadillah also stressed the role of mayors and local governments as "frontline architects" of Asean's transformation, urging that they be central to regional decision-making and equipped with advanced tools such as AI-powered urban planning, systematic knowledge-sharing and stronger cross-border networks. "Your leadership will determine whether our cities become models of equity and environmental harmony, or cautionary tales of unchecked growth. "Let us seize this moment to build partnerships, inspire bold policies and create a legacy of thriving, liveable communities for generations to come," he said. The three-day forum starts today with the theme "Asean Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability", aligns with the Asean Community Vision 2045 and brings together the Asean Smart Cities Network and Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy. - Bernama

Inquest into Zara Qairina's death must be expedited as questions mount, says MP
Inquest into Zara Qairina's death must be expedited as questions mount, says MP

New Straits Times

time9 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Inquest into Zara Qairina's death must be expedited as questions mount, says MP

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to hold an inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, an opposition MP told the Dewan Rakyat. Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Star) said the inquest was necessary to identify those responsible, as the cause of her death and the identity of the perpetrators remained unanswered nearly a month after the incident. "Zara is not only the child of her parents, but the child of all Malaysians who want justice for her still unanswered death," he said during his debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat. Afnan also proposed the appointment of full-time hostel wardens who are not schoolteachers, safety audits at schools with a high incidence of bullying, installation of CCTV cameras, the drafting of anti-bullying legislation, and the immediate formation of a special cabinet committee on bullying. The fifth measure, he said, was to create an online complaint platform that could be accessed by schools, police, and other relevant agencies. "What exactly happened? "Who are the perpetrators being protected?" he asked, adding that the issue had undermined public trust in schools, which should instead inspire confidence. He said that national development and economic progress would be meaningless if moral values among those responsible for carrying out such plans continued to deteriorate. Yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police Secretariat's Corporate Communications Unit confirmed that a task force comprising federal police CID personnel has taken over the investigation into Zara's death. Zara, a Form One student of a secondary school in Papar, Sabah, was reported to have fallen from the third floor of a dormitory. She was found unconscious in a drain on July 16 and later died while receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQE) in Kota Kinabalu. On July 31, Sabah police chief Datuk Jauteh Dikun said that the possibility of bullying as a factor had not been ruled out. On Saturday, Zara's grave was exhumed in preparation for a post-mortem. On Sunday, the post-mortem was conducted at HQE, lasting about eight hours from 11am to 7.30pm.

ASEAN urban growth must balance prosperity with equity, says Fadillah
ASEAN urban growth must balance prosperity with equity, says Fadillah

The Sun

time10 hours ago

  • The Sun

ASEAN urban growth must balance prosperity with equity, says Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has called for equitable urban growth in ASEAN, ensuring prosperity benefits all communities without marginalising the vulnerable. He highlighted that ASEAN's urban areas currently house over 370 million people, contributing 70% of the region's GDP and driving a US$3.8 trillion economy in 2024. By 2050, seven in 10 ASEAN citizens are expected to live in cities, making urban centres pivotal to regional development. 'Prosperity is not evenly shared. We still see gleaming skyscrapers casting shadows over informal settlements, and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity,' he said. Fadillah stressed that as ASEAN aims to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, urbanisation must deliver both growth and fairness. He made these remarks during his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC). Present at the event were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif, and ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto. As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, economic integration, and safeguarding peace and stability in Southeast Asia. Fadillah urged urgent solutions to urban challenges, including housing shortages, mobility bottlenecks, and climate risks like floods and heatwaves. 'Inclusivity means no one is left behind. Women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities must all have a voice in shaping our future cities,' he said. He emphasised the need for accessible transport, affordable housing, and digital connectivity for rural migrants. Fadillah described sustainability as essential for survival, citing threats such as rising sea levels in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and worsening heatwaves. He praised ASEAN innovations like Singapore's green building standards, Indonesia's renewable energy transition, and Brunei's smart water management for aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Local governments were urged to lead ASEAN's transformation with AI-powered urban planning and stronger cross-border networks. 'Your leadership will determine whether our cities become models of equity and environmental harmony, or cautionary tales of unchecked growth,' he said. The three-day forum, themed 'ASEAN Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability,' supports the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and unites the ASEAN Smart Cities Network and ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store