Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Nuclear Agency is stepping up efforts to expand the use of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, environment, and other sectors in line with the National Nuclear Technology Policy (DTNN) 2030. Its director-general Dr. Muhammad Rawi Mohamed Zin said the development of nuclear technology is expected to have a significant impact not only in Malaysia but also globally, in line with current energy demands.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Muhammad Rawi highlighted that nuclear technology can make a significant contribution to the energy, medical, and environmental sectors. He cited Korea's use of this technology to produce medical radioisotopes as an example. He emphasized Malaysia's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed a limited supply of medicines involving nuclear elements, underscoring the need for stronger efforts in developing the technology.
Dr. Muhammad Rawi explained that under DTNN, plans have been outlined to strengthen the production of isotopes for medical purposes, with cooperation from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and other stakeholders in the nuclear field. To raise public awareness of the importance and contributions of nuclear science and technology to the nation's development, the agency has carried out various initiatives, including education campaigns.
In his speech, Muhammad Rawi mentioned that up to July this year, a total of 506 products under the Local R and D Goods and Services Utilisation Programme (MySTI) had been approved by MOSTI to carry the MySTI logo. These products include NMR152 padi seeds, NMR152 rice, bioliquiffert, and bioliquidfert M100.
He expressed hope that the nuclear-based products and services showcased would lead to more high-value 'Made by Malaysia' outputs and support Malaysia's aspiration to become an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven nation by 2030. With the theme 'Nuklear Untuk Rakyat' (Nuclear for the People), he noted that HINM and TPS align with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration, emphasizing people's well-being, sustainability, and inclusivity while supporting DTNN 2030.
Muhammad Rawi further stated that HINM and TPS provide an important platform to support DTNN 2030, strengthen innovation and commercialisation activities, and foster collaboration between government agencies and industry. The event also saw the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and various companies, covering strategic cooperation in services and training, market studies, safety assessments, and consultancy services for a padi yield prediction model development project under MyHackhaton 2024.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nor Pa'iza Mohamad Hasan, the agency's senior director (Commercialisation and Technology Planning Programme), emphasized that nuclear technology is an integral component of science, technology, and innovation (STI) that plays an important role in many socio-economic sectors. She noted the rapid advancement of nuclear technology alongside emerging technologies like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and digital technology, highlighting its potential for socio-economic development.
Dr. Nor Pa'iza concluded that the organisation of HINM and TPS is in line with DTNN 2030, which sets the nation's direction in driving the development and application of nuclear technology safely, responsibly, and with high impact for the people.