KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, which was a signatory of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) since 1998, will have its own nuclear testing monitoring station by June next year.
The radionuclide station, being built by the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation's (CTBTO), would complement 351 other monitoring stations worldwide.
The Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology Research (Mint) has been given the task to set up the monitoring station.
Mint director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Sobri Hashim said the RM1.5mil station would detect radioactive particles released in the air.
“If the station detects activities, it could identify the country of origin using satellite technology and would inform the International Data Centre located at the headquarters of the CTBTO in Vienna.
“At this end, we would inform Wisma Putra and it's up to them to take further action,” he told reporters after the launching of the Regional Workshop on CTBTO International Co-operation for States from South-East Asia.
Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding, who launched the three-day workshop, said the move was in line with international efforts aimed at nuclear disarmament.
“Malaysia strongly believes that the ultimate solution to the problem of nuclear weapon proliferation is a total elimination of all nuclear weapons by all parties.”
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