Hold international talks on release of radioactive wastewater by Japan, says Lee Lam Thye

PETALING JAYA: An international discussion and assessment on issues related to the release of radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean should be held, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

Lee, who is the Alliance for Safe Community chairman, said such measures are necessary in light of global concerns over the move despite safety assurances given by Japan and the International Atomic Energy (IAEA).

"Instead, let’s now have a robust, international discussion and assessment that will examine the core issues and discard the possible false and exaggerated claims, leading to a win-win situation for Japan, Malaysia and the rest of the world," he said in a media statement on Monday (Aug 28).

Among those who are strongly against Japan’s action is philanthropist Tan Sri David Kong Hon Kong, who is also Nirvana Asia Group founder and executive chairman.

On Sunday (Aug 27), a "Raise Your Voice, Stop the Discharge of Nuclear Wastewater into the Ocean" mass petition was held at the Nirvana Memorial Garden in Semenyih, Selangor.

It was held concurrently with the annual Zhong Yuan enlightenment ceremony, an event to remember ancestors, advocate filial piety and pay tribute to the departed.

Similar petition drives will be held at Nirvana Centre Kuala Lumpur on Sept 2 and 3, Nirvana Memorial Park in Klang on Sept 3 and in Shah Alam on Sept 9 and 10.

The petition has so far received tens of thousands of signatures from Malaysians which will be handed over to the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Japan began to release contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday (Aug 24), raising international concerns.

The scheduled discharge of 1.3 million tonnes of wastewater over the next 30 years from the Fukushima nuclear plant was due to the 9.0-magnitude earthquake in 2011 which triggered a tsunami that hit three reactors of the plant located about 250km north of Tokyo.

Lee acknowledged that the issue had given rise to worries among Malaysians, particularly with regard to the food supply disruptions resulting in other undesirable consequences such as economic, political and social discord.

"The release of radioactive water could lead to contamination of marine resources, damaging the reputation of Malaysian seafood in international markets and causing economic losses for fishermen and seafood exporters.

"Consumers, both domestically and internationally, may be hesitant to purchase seafood from Malaysia if concerns about radioactive contamination persist," he added.

However, he also said that assurances had been given by Japan and the IAEA over the move as posing a "negligible" impact on people and the environment.

"But the problem for Malaysia is that, either way, we will be affected economically and psychologically," he said.