Malaysians deserve transparency on nuclear plans, ex-DAP MP says

Malaysians deserve transparency on nuclear plans, ex-DAP MP says

Published: Sep 9, 2025 10:15 AM
Updated: 12:15 PM



Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has urged Putrajaya to be transparent on its nuclear ambitions.

Responding to a report quoting Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who said Malaysia could introduce nuclear power in the next decade, Charles stressed that the rakyat has a right to know the location of proposed reactors and waste sites, and whether surrounding communities will be consulted before approvals are granted.

“Transparency is essential if the public’s trust is to be earned. Malaysians have the right to know where reactors and waste sites will be built and whether local communities will be asked for consent,” Charles said on X yesterday, tagging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Fadillah.

He further pressed the government to release the full cost-benefit analysis, including decommissioning and long-term waste management costs, and to disclose whether comparisons had been made with solar energy investments.

“The rakyat deserves to see the numbers side by side,” he added.

On Saturday, Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said that nuclear power was recognised at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Energy Ministers' Meeting as a viable option for clean and reliable energy.

He said nuclear power is also being studied to strengthen Malaysia's long-term energy security and support power-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres.

‘No role in just transition’

Charles, however, argued that nuclear power does not belong in a just energy transition, claiming it would drain billions in public funds, generate radioactive waste for generations, and only deliver power after a delay of 10 to 15 years.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago


“Why not invest those billions in solar clean energy we can generate today?” he asked.

He pointed to data from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), which showed costs for Nuscale’s small modular reactors (SMRs) have ballooned to US$120 million (RM504.78 million) per megawatt, compared to solar at US$1 million per MW and offshore wind at US$2 million per MW.

“Why choose the slowest and most expensive option?” he said.

Safety and environmental concerns

Charles also questioned whether nuclear could ever be considered “clean” given its radioactive waste footprint.

“We should not forget Bukit Merah’s toxic legacy. And with tremors recently felt in Johor, is it truly safe to build reactors and storage sites here?” he asked.

He noted that nuclear reactors are also water-intensive, requiring large withdrawals for cooling and releasing heated water that harms rivers, fisheries, farms, and households - worsening scarcity during dry spells.

“Malaysians deserve honest answers,” Charles stressed.