of malaysia building its first nuclear plant

Malaysia looking at building its first nuclear plant: Malaysian utility Tenaga Nasional may construct the country's first nuclear power plant. This comes after Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak announced in June that Malaysia may consider nuclear power to meet its long-term energy needs amid surging global oil prices.

Malaysian utility Tenaga may construct the country's first nuclear power plant at a cost of US$3.1 billion but is braced for objections from the public, a report said on Tuesday.

"We are looking at about US$3.1 billion for a 1,000 MW plant," Mohamad Zam Zam Jaafar, head of Tenaga's nuclear energy taskforce, was quoted as saying by the Edge financial daily newspaper.

"The government has asked Tenaga to look at nuclear power," he added.

The Edge said Malaysia will reveal a national energy blueprint next month.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said in June that Malaysia may consider nuclear power to meet its long-term energy needs amid surging global oil prices.

Mohamad said the taskforce was discussing the plant's location and how to source uranium, adding Tenaga anticipated the public could object to the plant.