Latest news with #AtomicEnergyDepartment
The Star
07-07-2025
- The Star
Four-nation exercise to boost regional nuclear security
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia is intensifying efforts to prevent the smuggling of radioactive materials through its borders through a high-level international field training exercise in Johor this week. The Nuclear Security Detection Exercise, Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore 2025 (Mitsatom 2025) will focus on nuclear security awareness, border surveillance and response coordination to incidents involving illicit trafficking of radioactive materials. Atomic Energy Department (Atom Malaysia) deputy director-general Monalija Kostor said a training exercise would be held under Mitsatom on Thursday (July 10) at a maritime jetty in Gelang Patah. She added that ahead of Thursday's drill, the programme will include tabletop simulation exercises on Tuesday and Wednesday (July 8 and 9) as well as a nuclear security talk to raise awareness among participants and observers from all four participating nations. 'The training aims to assess cross-border communication and emergency responses involving the detection and interdiction of radioactive material smuggling. "The simulation scenarios involve land and maritime smuggling routes shared by Malaysia and its neighbours. 'These include land borders with Thailand and Singapore as well as maritime borders with Indonesia as potential trafficking routes,' she told the press after the launch of Mitsatom 2025 by Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin at a hotel here on Monday (July 7). Mitsatom is Malaysia's fourth international nuclear security exercise since 2015, making it one of the most active countries in South-East Asia in countering nuclear smuggling, she added. Earlier drills were conducted with Thailand in 2015 and 2016 focusing on land border interdiction, while in 2018, Malaysia hosted a maritime-focused drill with Indonesia and the Philippines in Kota Kinabalu. 'This year's exercise is especially comprehensive, combining both land and sea interdiction scenarios to test preparedness across multiple border types. 'We have designed four smuggling scenarios where radioactive materials are successfully intercepted and returned to the authorities,' Monalija said. The training exercises also help Malaysian authorities and their counterparts in the region to ensure that radioactive sources remain under legal control and do not fall into the wrong hands, she added. 'Our top priority is to ensure radioactive materials are tightly regulated, and that our borders remain secure against nuclear threats,' she said.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Atom Malaysia has been leading the charge for 40 years
Getting ready for nukes: Noraishah says Atom Malaysia is tasked with raising public awareness on safe nuclear use, among other duties. SEPANG: As it marks its 40th anniversary, the Atomic Energy Department (Atom Malaysia) is ready to step up as the national regulator of nuclear energy and ionising radiation, driving the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology in the country. Its director-general Noraishah Pungut said Atom Malaysia initially focused on regulating radioactive materials. Today, its role has expanded to include nuclear safety, radiation protection and the peaceful application of nuclear technology. 'Currently, we oversee over 2,000 active licences covering major industries such as oil and gas exploration, manufacturing, and research and medical institutions. These are regulated in collaboration with the Health Ministry under Act 304. 'These activities involve high-risk materials or equipment that must be legally and effectively regulated, in accordance with international best practices to ensure safety, security and proper usage. 'For example, hospitals seeking to use radiotherapy or companies wanting to import materials like iridium must obtain approval and comply with Atom Malaysia's strict standards,' she said. A Geiger Counter, used to measure radiation, which is still in use by Atom Malaysia. — Bernama One of Atom Malaysia's key missions now is to raise public awareness about how the government regulates this technology, to help shift negative perceptions. 'We need to rebrand nuclear technology. It's not about bombs or disasters – it's clean and efficient technology, as long as it's properly managed. Atom Malaysia plays a key role in enforcing legal controls to ensure safety, security and responsible use,' she added. With Malaysia targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Noraishah said nuclear energy could realistically complement the country's energy mix. 'As part of long-term preparations, we are reviewing amendments to Act 304 and working to ratify several key international agreements, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety. 'If Malaysia is serious about developing a nuclear power plant, these foundations must be in place first,' she said. However, she admitted that one of the biggest challenges is ensuring a skilled workforce in the nuclear field. 'We need to train more people as nuclear scientists and safety engineers and these roles require specialised training,' she said. Atom Malaysia is proposing more awareness campaigns, education initiatives, industrial training programmes and clear career pathways to attract young talent. 'In other countries, nuclear technology is used to purify contaminated water and create new materials. We can do the same, if there's awareness and investment,' she said. She also reiterated that nuclear progress must be built on strong legal and safety frameworks. 'There are no shortcuts. Every step must follow international guidelines, and that's exactly what Atom Malaysia ensures through the enforcement of national laws.'
