Malaysia may explore the use of nuclear technology for power if the oil price shoots up to US$100 a barrel. It would be a matter of national interest and economic survival, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said.
He said Malaysia wanted to know how Japan, where two major cities – Hiroshima and Nagasaki – were destroyed by atomic bombs during World War II, could convince its people to go along with the use of nuclear technology to generate power. "We have more than 60 nuclear scientists and we want Japan to share with us their experience," he added.
He said some European countries were already moving towards using nuclear technology with the latest being Britain. Closer to home, Vietnam also has plans to switch to nuclear technology to generate power, he noted.