Corp to prepare Malaysia for alternative fuel source

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PUTRAJAYA: The formation of the Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation is important as it will prepare an alternative fuel source for the country in the future, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

FOCUS ON PROGRAMME: Najib (third right), shakes hands with company representatives involved in the Economic Transformation Programme after announcing the 19 EPP and development projects at the Bangunan Perdana Putra. — Bernama photo

The country has to think about the long term supply of energy and the right mix has to come in, he said, referring to the set up of the nuclear corporation announced by the Prime Minister yesterday.

When the time arrives for the decline of fossil fuel, the country would be prepared for alternative sources of fuel to provide power and that is the reason for the set up of the nuclear corporation, he told reporters here yesterday.

Earlier yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced 19 more entry point projects (EPP) including the nuclear corporation under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

In total, these projects will generate almost RM67 billion in investments, RM36 billion in gross national income and create 35,000 new jobs.

On nuclear energy, Najib said the government was studying the possibility of deploying the energy to meet future demands and diversify the energy mix for Peninsular Malaysia.

The nuclear corporation will spearhead the initiative.

Najib also announced the appointment of Dr Mohd Zamzam Jaafar as the Chief Executive Officer of the nuclear corporation.

The 19 EPP and development projects will come from 10 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs), led by four EPPs under the oil, gas and energy NKEA.

Idris, who is also the CEO of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), said the move to set up the nuclear corp and its CEO also showed the serious intent of the government to ensure that all is properly done.

“The Prime Minister has given tremendous leadership to move forward to transform the economy, and it is very important for us to bring the confidence both for long term players and investors.

“I really believe confidence level for investment is key for any country moving forward when they talk about economic transformation,” he said.

He said there were 12 NKEAs areas where the government believed it had the competitive advantage and that would need to be the focus areas to excel in.

For the international companies that invest in Malaysia, “we have to have the right talents to make sure that we run our business competitively,” he added. — Bernama