High risk project

High risk project

The chief of the National Atomic Agency, Djali Ahimsa, has on several occasions said that the government has decided to begin constructing a nuclear power plant in Central Java, close to Mount Muria next year. On the other hand, the press reported that President Soeharto some time ago remarked in a cautious tone that nuclear power should be considered when all other energy sources that have not yet been fully exploited -- such as coal, water, wind and sun -- are no longer sufficiently available.

President Soeharto and Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie have repeatedly stated that nuclear energy would be "the last option" in meeting our energy needs. The proposed nuclear power plant has lately become a very sensitive and controversial issue among Indonesians. The high technology needed for a nuclear plant demands not only sophisticated skills, expertise and accuracy, but it involves huge costs in construction and maintenance. The question is: How far can we rely on the discipline and accuracy of our manpower to guarantee the safe functioning of the expensive plant so as to avoid undesired disasters?

If the project is considered to be in the general interest of the public, especially for following generations, it is very obvious that for the sake of safety, secretiveness should be set aside and public participation should be highly encouraged. As far as I can remember, there has been no public debate on this issue.

Objections to the construction of the nuclear plant are apparently based on the following considerations: First, the high risk and terrible consequences that could result from a nuclear accident. Second, Indonesia still has ample sources of coal, oil, wind, sun and water to produce electricity. Third, in several places throughout Indonesia we have already built conventional power plants to generate electricity. What will become of them?

Java is the most densely populated island, so we have good reason to reconsider or even cancel the choice of Muria as the site for the plant. Indonesia does not need to follow the Western world in the application of high technology if the our conditions are not supportive to the matter.

But it seems that Indonesian technologists insist on the construction of a nuclear plant at any cost, with or without the people's consent. It is here the House of Representatives should play its role, to approve or disapprove the project, depending on the results of its feasibility study. The government, if necessary, need feel no shame in canceling this prestigious project for the sake of mankind.

A. HARYONO

Jakarta