Selangor: Selangor is expected to begin adopting nuclear energy as a clean power source within the next five years, the State Legislative Assembly was told today. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state is in the early phase of exploring the technology, including building technical expertise.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amirudin emphasized that the state is currently focused on capacity-building efforts, which include training officers in nuclear-related fields. Consultation with local universities is also underway, with institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) expressing interest in exploring collaborative opportunities. These steps are part of Selangor’s preliminary measures to prepare for the potential adoption of nuclear energy.

Amirudin expressed concern over the underdevelopment of nuclear studies in Malaysia, noting that some students have sought opportunities abroad due to this limitation. He mentioned meeting Malaysian students at Tsinghua University in China, who are independently exploring the nuclear field. He highlighted the importance of preparing for the future as reliance on fossil fuels such as gas and coal becomes less sustainable compared to nuclear energy.

Despite the potential benefits, Amirudin acknowledged the importance of addressing safety concerns, potential leak risks, and public perception. He pointed out that Germany’s experience with nuclear energy provides valuable lessons that Malaysia can learn from as it considers this energy transition.