SHAH ALAM, Nov 22 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the community must relook its stigma against nuclear energy, same as it did for waste-to-energy (WTE) technology, which was once opposed but is now accepted as a waste management solution.
On the Keluar Sekejap podcast with Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, Amirudin said nuclear energy is a clean power source and could be an option when the country faces a shortage of fossil fuels like gas and coal.
“Once, many people opposed waste-to-energy, but now people have to accept waste-to-energy as a solution. I believe nuclear is headed in the same direction,” he said, adding that Selangor’s commitment isn’t to build a nuclear plant in five years, but to prepare a foundation for the sector in that time.
“I said five years is the preparatory period before we start after five years. That’s why we’re sending students to Tsinghua (University), and we’re adding RM1 million for their living costs there,” he explained.
Amirudin also touched on nuclear plant safety, including the potential of small modular reactors placed at sea like several other countries have.
“Usually, plants are built near the sea, but there are nations that use modular (plants) further out at sea, far from land and people. Maybe that’s what we’ll do.
“Certainly, for our reference in Europe, it is France, the best producer, and also I think China,” he said.
He reiterated that Selangor must make early preparations as the Klang Valley’s energy needs are significant.
“According to analysis, 47 per cent of energy used throughout Malaysia comes from the Klang Valley. If we’re not ready with consistent, sustainable energy, this is a big challenge for the future,” he added.
When asked if he is ready to face political pressure over nuclear issues, Amirudin said technological developments have caused a shift in community perspective, and that the government must study existing options.
