Nuclear accidents: oppose Indonesia nuclear energy plans

The nuclear catastrophe unfolding in Japan throws the spotlight on plans in Asia to build nuclear plants.

What particularly worries me is Indonesia. 

Like Japan, Indonesia is perched atop the Ring of Fire. If Japan, one of the most technologically advanced nations, can’t build a safe nuclear plant, Indonesia, with its crumbling infrastructure, weak law enforcement and widespread corruption, can?

Of course, vested parties will say Kita boleh (we can). Like the Commonwealth Games in India, officials will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of billions waiting to be siphoned off into their secret bank accounts.

Singapore should vigorously oppose the construction of nuclear plants in Indonesia.

The annual haze that plagues Singapore, thanks to Indonesia, is child’s play compared to a radioactive cloud.

There’s been reportedly 99 nuclear accidents from 1952 to 2009. If Indonesia presses ahead with its nuclear energy plans, it’s only a matter of time before it makes headline news with a nuclear accident.

By then I hope I’ll have transplanted myself somewhere far away.