Posted on March 19, 2011, Saturday
Chua said members of parliament had been given a briefing by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water on the proposed building of a nuclear power plant in Malaysia by 2021.
“Korea and Japan have utilised nuclear energy for over 50 years with little alternative energy sources. Both countries have exhibited excellent work culture, good work attitude, high technology and highly skilled human resources required by nuclear technology.
“At a time when the risk of radiation occurs due to the explosions of the nuclear power plants, 50 skilled technicians have voluntarily opted to guard the plants.
“They have sacrificed their lives for the survival and benefit of the Japanese people. They risk exposure to radiation with the possibly of death within two weeks.
“This is the culture of patriotism at its highest, a sense of loyalty to their emperor and country. In their attempt to contain the devastation, we have also witnessed the readiness of the government in disaster management and the readiness of the people to face the effects of the disaster without power, water and food,” Chua said yesterday.
According to her, Malaysia still has abundant natural resources and should start to plan for sustainable renewal energy production now before it gets too late.
The government has changed the name of the ministry to what it is now, and our Prime Minister and the government’s commitment speaks volume in the effort to reduce GHG (green house gas).
The abrogated plan to install a coal power plant at Sinakut, Lahad Datu on the other hand reflected the government’s tendency to bulldoze through development without considering the impact on the environment nor the interest of the people.
Chua was also given to understand that about 40 per cent of solar glass panels and some of the storage voltages cells in the world market were manufactured in Malaysia.
“That gives us all the more reasons for Malaysia to work on solar power plant or integrated power production,” she said.
“Although I have received a reply from the ministry to say that it would be too expensive to build but we should consider the long-term benefit it could bring to the country as solar power is free. We should also work on other sustainable energy sources such as biomass or methane gas from oil palm mills,” she added.
Taking the hint from Germany which had closed down seven of their nuclear power plants, Chua reiterated that she would object to any nuclear energy power plant to be built in Malaysia.
