High risk project<\/p>\n
The chief of the National Atomic Agency, Djali Ahimsa, has on
\nseveral occasions said that the government has decided to begin
\nconstructing a nuclear power plant in Central Java, close to
\nMount Muria next year. On the other hand, the press reported that
\nPresident Soeharto some time ago remarked in a cautious tone that
\nnuclear power should be considered when all other energy sources
\nthat have not yet been fully exploited -- such as coal, water,
\nwind and sun -- are no longer sufficiently available.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto and Minister of Research and Technology
\nB.J. Habibie have repeatedly stated that nuclear energy would be
\n\"the last option\" in meeting our energy needs. The proposed
\nnuclear power plant has lately become a very sensitive and
\ncontroversial issue among Indonesians. The high technology needed
\nfor a nuclear plant demands not only sophisticated skills,
\nexpertise and accuracy, but it involves huge costs in
\nconstruction and maintenance. The question is: How far can we
\nrely on the discipline and accuracy of our manpower to guarantee
\nthe safe functioning of the expensive plant so as to avoid
\nundesired disasters?<\/p>\n
If the project is considered to be in the general interest of
\nthe public, especially for following generations, it is very
\nobvious that for the sake of safety, secretiveness should be set
\naside and public participation should be highly encouraged. As
\nfar as I can remember, there has been no public debate on this
\nissue.<\/p>\n
Objections to the construction of the nuclear plant are
\napparently based on the following considerations: First, the high
\nrisk and terrible consequences that could result from a nuclear
\naccident. Second, Indonesia still has ample sources of coal, oil,
\nwind, sun and water to produce electricity. Third, in several
\nplaces throughout Indonesia we have already built conventional
\npower plants to generate electricity. What will become of them?<\/p>\n
Java is the most densely populated island, so we have good
\nreason to reconsider or even cancel the choice of Muria as the
\nsite for the plant. Indonesia does not need to follow the Western
\nworld in the application of high technology if the our conditions
\nare not supportive to the matter.<\/p>\n
But it seems that Indonesian technologists insist on the
\nconstruction of a nuclear plant at any cost, with or without the
\npeople's consent. It is here the House of Representatives should
\nplay its role, to approve or disapprove the project, depending on
\nthe results of its feasibility study. The government, if
\nnecessary, need feel no shame in canceling this prestigious
\nproject for the sake of mankind.<\/p>\n
A. HARYONO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/high-risk-project-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }