INDONESIA'S INTENTION TO BUILD NUCLEAR REACTORS (Singapore Government's stand)

Mr Ling How Doong asked the Prime Minister, in view of President Suharto's recent announcement of Indonesia's intention to build 12 nuclear reactors to generate electricity and the great risks and danger such a move would pose to the physical well-being of Singapore, (a) what is his Government's stand on the matter; (b) whether he had discussed the matter when he met the Indonesian President recently; (c) if the matter was discussed, what was discussed and if not, why was it not discussed; and (d) whether his Government had brought up the matter with ASEAN or the United Nations.

BG Lee Hsien Loong (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Indonesian Government recently announced its intention to build nuclear power plants in Central Java. It is presently carrying out feasibility studies. The Indonesian Government has stated that it will make a decision after evaluating the feasibility studies.

The Singapore Government is monitoring the progress of the feasibility studies. The Prime Minister did not raise the matter with President Suharto. Nor has Singapore raised it in ASEAN or at the United Nations. However, after the Chernobyl accident, all governments are now aware of the hazards nuclear reactors pose to the population, and the risks of nuclear fallout from accidents in nuclear power stations.

Indonesia is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It can therefore be expected to comply fully with the safety standards and security safeguards laid down by the IAEA, and to use the best available technologies to design, construct and operate the proposed reactors. The safeguards adopted will certainly take into account the fact that the nuclear power stations will be located in Central Java, which is densely populated and moreover is in an earthquake zone, in order to minimize the risks to the Indonesian population.

Mr Ling How Doong (Bukit Gombak): Sir, before the announcement by President Suharto, was ASEAN or Singapore informed of the intention to set up nuclear reactors in Indonesia?

BG Lee Hsien Loong: The Singapore Government has not been in communication with the Indonesian government on this matter.