Parliament: Nuke lab will fend off accusations
The Star (9/7/08): The setting up of the Nuclear Monitoring Laboratory will help fend off accusations that Malaysia is using nuclear for anything other than friendly purposes, such as the development of nuclear weapons.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Fadillah Yusof told Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS - Hulu Langat) that the construction of the laboratory was proposed in the interest of the country.
"The facility will ensure that activities on the use of nuclear and radioactive material in the South-East Asian region will be mainly for peaceful purposes.
"It will also act as a check and balance mechanism to fend off any baseless claim on the use of nuclear in our country," he said in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Fadillah told Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (BN -Rompin) that this was because Malaysia had the intention to eventually use nuclear for electricity generation.
"For this to happen, we need to get the world's approval that we are using it for energy and not to build nuclear weapons. Having this laboratory will prove our commitment," he said, adding that besides this, the facility could also offer nuclear forensic services to other countries.
For example, Fadillah said, it would be able to trace the source of a sample of nuclear material.
"Only five countries in the world are allowed to export nuclear material - China, United States, Britain, France and Russia. Nuclear material from anywhere else is considered illegal and thus is probably used for other purposes," he said.
Fadillah said Malaysia was the first country among many, including within Asean and the Organisation of Islamic Conference, to be given the trust by the International Atomic Energy Agency to have such a facility.
"The facility will have use of technology that is controlled. The presence of this laboratory will also help to enhance the human capital development in sensitive and sophisticated technology in a controlled manner," he said, adding that the ministry was currently conducting a feasibility study for such a facility.
"Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board has also asked the Government permission to appoint the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) as a consultant for the study," said Fadillah.
So far, the Government had identified two sites in Pahang and Malacca for the facility.
"The Pahang state government has offered their land for free in Rompin," he said.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Fadillah Yusof told Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS - Hulu Langat) that the construction of the laboratory was proposed in the interest of the country.
"The facility will ensure that activities on the use of nuclear and radioactive material in the South-East Asian region will be mainly for peaceful purposes.
"It will also act as a check and balance mechanism to fend off any baseless claim on the use of nuclear in our country," he said in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Fadillah told Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (BN -Rompin) that this was because Malaysia had the intention to eventually use nuclear for electricity generation.
"For this to happen, we need to get the world's approval that we are using it for energy and not to build nuclear weapons. Having this laboratory will prove our commitment," he said, adding that besides this, the facility could also offer nuclear forensic services to other countries.
For example, Fadillah said, it would be able to trace the source of a sample of nuclear material.
"Only five countries in the world are allowed to export nuclear material - China, United States, Britain, France and Russia. Nuclear material from anywhere else is considered illegal and thus is probably used for other purposes," he said.
Fadillah said Malaysia was the first country among many, including within Asean and the Organisation of Islamic Conference, to be given the trust by the International Atomic Energy Agency to have such a facility.
"The facility will have use of technology that is controlled. The presence of this laboratory will also help to enhance the human capital development in sensitive and sophisticated technology in a controlled manner," he said, adding that the ministry was currently conducting a feasibility study for such a facility.
"Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board has also asked the Government permission to appoint the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) as a consultant for the study," said Fadillah.
So far, the Government had identified two sites in Pahang and Malacca for the facility.
"The Pahang state government has offered their land for free in Rompin," he said.
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