No nuclear decision before 2030
Speaking at the Driving the Green Energy Transition event by MBSB, Fadillah confirmed that nuclear energy remains in the research and evaluation phase, and no firm decision has been made.
"No, we have not decided. The decision will only come after 2030, after we study the whole regulation, the technologies and so on," he told reporters after MBSB's Driving the Green Energy Transition here today.
His remarks come in the wake of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which outlines a preliminary roadmap for nuclear development, including a nuclear energy programme targeted for 2031.
Fadillah said that public acceptance, safety, and environmental considerations will be central to any future decision.
"It can only be implemented when there's public acceptance. All aspects have to be considered: the safety, the social well-being of the people, and of course the environmental perspective," he explained.
He reaffirmed that safety and security would remain non-negotiable in any decision involving nuclear power.
"Safety and security are critical for us. So we have to evaluate everything first. It's too early to say whether we will use it or not," he said, adding that the current phase is focused purely on analysis and study to determine whether nuclear can or should be implemented in Malaysia.
Fadillah also touched on the potential return of Malaysian nuclear experts currently based overseas, should the country decide to proceed with a nuclear power project in the future.
"Once we have decided to build the nuclear plant, we will bring all the diaspora back to the country," he said.
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