Don't worry about nuclear reactor

Don't worry about nuclear reactor

SEMARANG, Central Java: State Minister for Research and Technology B.J. Habibie defended the government's plan to build nuclear reactors near here but stressed that the final decision would lie with the people.

He said the people did not have to worry about the impact of the project because the government had spent 20 years studying it carefully.

The government has conducted a feasibility study on the controversial project on Mount Muria, but the results are yet to be made public.

Habibie said the nuclear plants were the last alternative and would go ahead only if the existing conventional power generators failed to meet the increasing demand for energy in Java.

"The people have the right to say 'No' to the plan. But what will they say if the conventional power generators fail to cope with the soaring demand for electricity?" he said. (har)