The preparedness is based on a review of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).Pontianak, W.Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Among the 10 ASEAN member countries, Indonesia is the most ready to build a nuclear power plant, a ministry official said.
"However, Indonesia still lags behind Malaysia which will start building a nuclear power plant by 2012," Sri Setiawati, a deputy to the research and technology minister said here Tuesday.
According to her, the preparedness is based on a review of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Indonesia has an adequate expertise, experts, materials and technology in the nuclear field, Sri Setiawati added.
"Not all countries have the things. For example Vietnam, they do not have experts in the nuclear field," Sri Setiawati noted.
Unfortunately, the Indonesian people tend to fear with nuclear technology. Currently, there are three nuclear reactors managed in Indonesia, namely in Yogyakarta, Bandung (West Java) and Serpong (Tangerang).
She asserted, in developed countries, the fear is the impetus to overcome the weaknesses to minimize the possibility of failure.
She pointed out, Japan, although there are earthquakes every day there has 50 more nuclear reactors.
"The events that occurred in Fukushima as the impact of the earthquake and tsunami were larger than predicted," Sri Setiawati said.
During an earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006, the nuclear reactors in the region were in safe condition, even though the buildings around it were destroyed.
Sri Setiawati said, it showed that the nuclear reactor had been made by considering the condition of natural disasters.
"If there is any failure or disruption, this will be used for an evaluation for the next technology. In essence, how we seek to conquer failures through technology development," Sri Setiawati said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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