Malaysia calls for nuclear governance in ASEAN

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof has called on nuclear-weapon states to sign and ratify the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty without delay, calling it a vital pillar of regional peace, mutual trust, and long-term security.

At the opening of the 12th Annual Meeting of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) on Monday, Fadillah, also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to the SEANWFZ Treaty while stressing a strong and enforceable nuclear-weapon-free zone is crucial to maintaining stability and safeguarding the future of the region.

On nuclear energy, he said the Malaysian government is undertaking a structured assessment to examine the role of nuclear power as a potential option for clean, stable, and competitive electricity within Malaysia’s future energy mix.

Malaysia is working towards diversifying energy sources, strengthening long-term energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and cutting dependence on fossil fuels.

He announced that the Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia will launch the Gamma Spectrometry Water Monitoring System (GSWMS), a technology designed to enhance the nation’s capacity to detect and respond swiftly to any radiological threats in water sources.

He affirmed that Malaysia’s cooperation within ASEANTOM is not merely technical, it is deeply strategic, reflecting the country’s shared responsibility to ensure that atomic energy serves sustainable development, strengthens regional stability, and secures the well-being of the future generations.

The 12th ASEANTOM is taking place in Johor Bahru from August 11-12.