SHAH ALAM, Nov 28 — The Selangor government should first conduct a comprehensive gaps analysis and strengthen public information delivery on nuclear risks before pursuing its nuclear ambitions, said the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER).
Its president Piarapakaran Subramaniam said transparency is essential, especially as mishandled communication could heighten public concern.
He cited an example of the global backlash over Japan’s decision to release wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, adding that long-term environmental consequences might only be felt by future generations.
“When safety and radioactivity concerns are not addressed properly, there will be (public) objections,” he told Media Selangor.
Piarapakaran also urged the government against prematurely sending talent overseas for nuclear-related training before fully understanding specific skills required for the local industry.
He said detailed studies and clarification are needed before Selangor’s plans can be realised.
“I believe the state government needs to do a proper gap analysis to identify what is lacking. It should not reinvent the wheel or undertake redundant efforts.”
On November 14, when tabling the 2026 Selangor Budget, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced the state would establish the Joint Working Committee on Nuclear Energy to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using nuclear power, taking into account the latest technological developments.
He said the state’s commitment to exploring renewable and clean energy sources is crucial not only to create new investment opportunities, but also to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable energy for future generations.
On November 17, Amirudin said it is vital for Selangor to explore nuclear power so the state isn’t left behind and to lower its dependence on fossil fuels.
He said the state government is in the early phase of assessing nuclear energy as a clean alternative, with any rollout to only take place in a minimum of five years.
He added Selangor is focused on research and capacity building before it can be ready to introduce nuclear energy.
State regulatory powers limited
Piarapakaran said the state first needs to clarify its role under the Federal Constitution, as nuclear regulation falls under federal jurisdiction.
He said Selangor cannot assume regulatory authority when federal bodies such as the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) and Malaysian Nuclear Agency exist.
He added that the federal government has established a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (Nepio), which will be guided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on mandatory procedures.
As such, the state’s influence in the energy sector remains limited.
Meanwhile, Piarapakaran said nuclear power remains expensive due to uncertainties around radioactive waste management and decommissioning.
“Nuclear has radioactivity risks that are detrimental to the environment. Therefore, how the world will regulate nuclear wastes in future will impact the overall operating and decommissioning cost,” he said.
“Definitely, it is not going to be cheap.”
He suggested prioritising energy efficiency before considering more costly or experimental technologies, cautioning that poorly planned net-zero pathways could strain the economy.
“The basics are still energy efficiency across the board so we can reduce our energy consumption while maintaining the desired output,” he said, adding that technologies like green hydrogen are often overhyped despite being inefficient.
Piarapakaran also said it is misleading to label nuclear energy as “clean” solely based on its carbon emissions, stressing that all environmental impact must be transparently debated.
