KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not finalised decision to build a nuclear power plant to generate electricity.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong said research on the matter is still being carried out.
"This is a long process, it doesn't means that we starting gather information, getting feedback from the involving parties, we are going to build a nuclear power plant next year.
"To complete all these steps maybe will take up to 10 years or 12 years, but works have to start now, including obtain the information and feedback," he told reporters after launching the Steinbeis Malaysia Foundation at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here today.
Mah, who is in charge of overseeing the nuclear energy industry, said the government will ensure the matter is dealt with in a transparent manner and the people will be kept abreast with the latest developments.
"A lot of people are worried after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. “That is the reason we want to update the public on the information we have compiled.
“The most important, we will get all the information and do what is correct for the country and the rakyat," he said.
Asked about would government insisted the proposal if the majority were against the project ,he said the government will follow the wishes of the public.
However he added there is need to find alternatives to replace nuclear.
"I am not saying that the government will definitely build nuclear power plant. If majority are against the proposal, then we have to think of other alternatives. We have to explore all possible ways,” he said.
Mah said currently the country is dependent on coal which is made up of at least 40 per cent of fossil fuel to generate power and this will go up to 75 per cent by 2023.