GEORGE TOWN: Four more Gamma Spectrum Water Monitoring Stations (GSWMS) will be installed to monitor the radioactivity levels in Malaysian Waters, says Chang Lih Kang.
The decision was made following the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday (Aug 24).
Chang, the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said currently, the existing GSWMS in Sabah waters are monitoring any increase in radioactivity levels in real-time as an early detection system.
Besides Malaysia, only Singapore and Vietnam have the system which would pick up any abnormal radioactive readings, he said.
"We are very concerned about what is going on in Japan, and under my ministry, we have the Atomic Energy Department that constantly monitors (the situation) and we also have the GSWMS system to detect if there is any radioactive material in our waters.
"If there is any radioactive material detected, we will know early on... we also plan to install four more units and are now identifying the locations,” he told reporters after launching the STEM Showcase 2023, held in conjunction with the state's National Science Week here today (Aug 25).
So far, no radioactive waste is detected in Malaysian waters, he added.
"The government is aware of Malaysians’ concerns after Japan began discharging the treated radioactive water into the sea," he said, adding data obtained by the International Atomic Energy Agency showed that the discharged water was within safe limits.
Japan has maintained its stand to discharge the water even in light of heavy criticism and food import bans by China, North Korea and Hong Kong, and described its actions as safe. - Bernama
