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Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's nuclear energy push gains momentum with promising pre-feasibility study, says science minister
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — A pre-feasibility study on the use of nuclear energy as a primary energy source for the country has been completed, with preliminary findings indicating significant potential for this energy source in ensuring a stable, clean and reliable supply. The study, among other things, recommended the establishment of six technical task forces, with three under the responsibility of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), its minister Chang Lih Kang said. 'Three technical task forces have been entrusted to MOSTI, focusing on technology and industrial development, the development of nuclear competence and expertise, as well as the legal and regulatory framework,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng), who enquired whether Malaysia is ready to explore nuclear energy generation and the types of collaboration programmes established with international agencies related to nuclear science and technology. Chang said the government is exploring nuclear energy as one of the main options to ensure national energy sustainability through strategic cooperation between MOSTI and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA). He said currently, Malaysia has 323 research officers at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and 36 science officers at the Atomic Energy Department, serving in various fields of nuclear and related technologies. Meanwhile, Chang said Malaysia signed a Civil Nuclear Strategic Partnership agreement with the United States on July 10, serving as a catalyst for long-term cooperation in developing Malaysia's civil nuclear energy capabilities in a safe and responsible manner. 'This is one of the measures, in addition to a network of partnerships with China and Russia, to strengthen Malaysia's efforts in developing a well-planned nuclear energy generation programme,' he said. — Bernama
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia explores nuclear energy potential in pre-feasibility study
KUALA LUMPUR: A pre-feasibility study on the use of nuclear energy as a primary energy source for the country has been completed, with preliminary findings indicating significant potential for this energy source in ensuring a stable, clean and reliable supply. The study, among other things, recommended the establishment of six technical task forces, with three under the responsibility of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), its minister Chang Lih Kang said. 'Three technical task forces have been entrusted to MOSTI, focusing on technology and industrial development, the development of nuclear competence and expertise, as well as the legal and regulatory framework,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng), who enquired whether Malaysia is ready to explore nuclear energy generation and the types of collaboration programmes established with international agencies related to nuclear science and technology. Chang said the government is exploring nuclear energy as one of the main options to ensure national energy sustainability through strategic cooperation between MOSTI and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA). He said currently, Malaysia has 323 research officers at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and 36 science officers at the Atomic Energy Department, serving in various fields of nuclear and related technologies. Meanwhile, Chang said Malaysia signed a Civil Nuclear Strategic Partnership agreement with the United States on July 10, serving as a catalyst for long-term cooperation in developing Malaysia's civil nuclear energy capabilities in a safe and responsible manner. 'This is one of the measures, in addition to a network of partnerships with China and Russia, to strengthen Malaysia's efforts in developing a well-planned nuclear energy generation programme,' he said. - Bernama
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Malaysia moving closer to adopting nuclear energy, says minister
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Malaysia is working to amend its Atomic Energy Act to allow for the ratification of key international treaties and conventions under the IAEA. KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is moving a step closer towards adopting nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy transition strategy, with the government having completed a pre-feasibility study on nuclear power. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the study's initial findings indicated that nuclear energy has strong potential to serve as a stable, clean and reliable power source for the country. 'In line with this, six technical task forces have been proposed to support nuclear energy readiness. 'Three of these are under the ministry, focusing on technology and industry development, the development of nuclear competencies and a legal and regulatory framework,' he said in Parliament on July 30. According to him, the remaining three teams fall under the purview of the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry. The country currently has 323 nuclear researchers under the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and 36 science officers under the Atomic Energy Department, with 61 of them holding qualifications in nuclear science and engineering, according to Mr Chang. 'This reflects the country's continued commitment to building local expertise to support the safe and responsible advancement of nuclear technology,' he said. He added that Malaysia was working to amend its Atomic Energy Act to allow for the ratification of key international treaties and conventions under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'Once approved by Cabinet, we aim to table the amended Act in this Parliament session. 'This will demonstrate Malaysia's seriousness in exploring nuclear energy as one of our power generation options,' he said. Mr Chang also confirmed that Malaysia signed a strategic civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States on July 10, complementing its existing collaborations with China and Russia. 'The agreement will act as a catalyst for long-term cooperation in infrastructure development, joint research, technical training and local industry strengthening,' he added. He said Malaysia is also working closely with the IAEA through technical cooperation programmes, regional partnerships, the Asian Nuclear Cooperation Forum and coordinated research projects. Beyond power generation, nuclear technology was also being used in climate and environmental research, he said. 'This includes isotopic techniques for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, landslide management, ocean acidification and groundwater lifespan,' said Mr Chang. The IAEA recognises nuclear science as contributing to the 13th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on climate action, he added. In agriculture, Malaysia was also using nuclear-related techniques for plant mutation breeding to produce climate-resilient crops and to support disease control, he said. Responding to a question from Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, Mr Chang acknowledged that Malaysia still needs to ratify several international treaties before advancing nuclear development. He said local lab-scale extraction projects have shown encouraging results on thorium research , though Malaysia has yet to begin research and development on thorium-based power generation. 'We are progressively upgrading our research capabilities and working with countries such as China, India, Russia and the United States that have advanced expertise in this area,' he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to amend atomic law to explore nuclear energy
KUALA LUMPUR: The bill to amend Malaysia's atomic energy legislation may be tabled in the current parliamentary session, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. 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.
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia moving closer to adopting nuclear energy, says Chang Lih Kang
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is moving a step closer towards adopting nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy transition strategy, with the government having completed a pre-feasibility study on nuclear power, says Chang Lih Kang. The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said the study's initial findings indicated that nuclear energy has strong potential to serve as a stable, clean and reliable power source for the country. 'In line with this, six technical task forces have been proposed to support nuclear energy readiness. 'Three of these are under the ministry, focusing on technology and industry development, the development of nuclear competencies and a legal and regulatory framework,' he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 30). According to him, the remaining three teams fall under the purview of the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry. According to Chang, the country currently has 323 nuclear researchers under the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and 36 science officers under the Atomic Energy Department, with 61 of them holding qualifications in nuclear science and engineering. 'This reflects the country's continued commitment to building local expertise to support the safe and responsible advancement of nuclear technology,' he said. He added that Malaysia was working to amend its Atomic Energy Act (RUUTA) to allow for the ratification of key international treaties and conventions under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'Once approved by Cabinet, we aim to table the amended Act in this Parliament session. 'This will demonstrate Malaysia's seriousness in exploring nuclear energy as one of our power generation options,' he said. Chang also confirmed that Malaysia signed a strategic civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States on July 10, complementing its existing collaborations with China and Russia. 'The agreement will act as a catalyst for long-term cooperation in infrastructure development, joint research, technical training and local industry strengthening,' he added. He said Malaysia is also working closely with the IAEA through technical cooperation programmes, regional partnerships, the Asian Nuclear Cooperation Forum and coordinated research projects. Beyond power generation, he said nuclear technology was also being used in climate and environmental research. 'This includes isotopic techniques for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, landslide management, ocean acidification and groundwater lifespan,' said Chang. The IAEA recognises nuclear science as contributing to the 13th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on climate action, he added. In agriculture, he said Malaysia was also using nuclear-related techniques for plant mutation breeding to produce climate-resilient crops and to support disease control. Responding to a question from Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim (PN-Kuala Terengganu), Chang acknowledged that Malaysia still needs to ratify several international treaties before advancing nuclear development. On thorium research, he said local lab-scale extraction projects have shown encouraging results, though Malaysia has yet to begin R&D on thorium-based power generation. 'We are progressively upgrading our research capabilities and working with countries such as China, India, Russia and the United States that have advanced expertise in this area,' he said.
