Indonesia's energy needs

Indonesia's plan for nuclear stations on the slope of a volcano in densely populated Java is a cause for concern not only among its people but among countries of the region.

Despite the recent assurance from Research and Technology Minister B.J. Habibie that the plan may be re-examined 30 years from now, it is not easy to remove such concern.

True, with its rapid economic and population growth, Indonesia's energy supply based on oil, gas, coal and hydroelectricity may not last.

However, it has to find better means of generating safer supply through regional co-operation. ASEAN should embark on joint exploration and R&D to enhance its energy capacity to meet future needs.

-- Berita Harian, Singapore