MALAYSIAN GOVT IN NO RUSH TO CRYSTALLISE NUCLEAR PLAN

By Choong En Han

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- Fully aware of the repercussions of
Japan's nuclear fallout, the Malaysian government is not in a rush to
crystallise Malaysia's nuclear power plan, as its viability is still being
evaluated.

"I think many countries around the world are going through a re-evaluation
and we will leverage on that. The government will make a final decision when
the time comes," said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in an interview
with Bloomberg at his office in Putrajaya Friday.

He said to make sense of the nuclear plan, the government still has to go
through rigorous feasibility studies, in the wake of Japan's earthquake
inflicted nuclear crisis.

"The people must be very secure about the project, and if implemented, it
will be good for the country.

"The important part is to get a positive buy-in from the people," he
added.

He said plans to engage the international community for feedback and
implement safety features that adhere to international best practices, is on the
table as well.

In December last year, the government announced the plan to build two
nuclear power plants that will generate 1,000 megawatts each, with the first to
be operational in 2021, and the other, a year later as part of
an overall long-term plan to balance energy supply.

The government cited nuclear power as the more prominent choice in
balancing the energy source, due to lower maintenance costs and lower tariffs in
the long-run.

Currently, gas accounts for 64 per cent of Malaysia's energy generation,
with the remainder coming from coal.

Meanwhile, Najib also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring
the planned Lynas Corporation rare earth plant in Kuantan.

"If we decide to go ahead with projects like this, we will insist that they
undergo a very tough examination and satisfy all necessary safeguards," he said.