Kuala lumpur: The Gamma Spectrum Water Monitoring System (GSWMS) monitors the country's waters 24 hours a day for unusual changes in radiation levels, including potential cross-border radioactive contamination, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang. He emphasized that this system is part of the government's initiative to safeguard national waters and enhance public trust through transparent access to monitoring data.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chang informed that the public can access GSWMS monitoring data through the websites of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Department of Atomic Energy (Atom Malaysia). "We want to provide all data and information to the public openly. We want to assure the public that we have nothing to hide," he stated during a visit to the GSWMS station at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department jetty.

Chang explained that GSWMS continuously monitors gamma radiation levels in the waters and can identify radioactive isotopes when unusual changes are detected. Atom Malaysia has standard operating procedures and emergency response mechanisms to investigate and act if readings exceed the control threshold. Notably, no readings above the control threshold have been recorded since the first GSWMS was installed at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) jetty in 2023.

He added that four additional GSWMS stations are operational in Langkawi, Pulau Tioman Marine Park in Pahang, Pulau Perhentian Marine Park in Terengganu, and Bintulu Port Jetty in Sarawak. Built between April and November last year, these stations came at a total installation cost of RM2.64 million, created under a strategic collaboration between Atom Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Fisheries Department, and the Bintulu Port Authority.

Chang also mentioned plans to discuss with Atom Malaysia the potential need to increase the number of GSWMS stations based on risk assessments. The project has achieved a 90 percent local content and expertise level, with only the gamma probe detector imported, while the rest of the infrastructure was developed locally.

In addition, the government is enhancing land-based radiation monitoring by installing 17 Environmental Radiation Monitoring System (ERMS) units and 17 Gamma Dose Rate Monitoring System (GDRMS) units, complementing the water-based monitoring. This expanded network aims to bolster the country's ability to swiftly detect any radiation threats.