Radiological Risk Communication in Malaysia

Marina Mishar (marina@aelb.gov.my)

Atomic Energy Licensing BoardAtomic Energy Licensing Board

International Experts’ Meeting on

Enhancing Transparency and Communications Effectiveness in the event of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency

18 – 20 June 2012; Vienna

Ensuring Safety, Security & Safeguarding Peaceful Nuclear Activities

Content

• Lessons’ Learned during Fukushima

Daiichi Accident in Japan

• Local Effects

• Areas for Enhancement

Communicating Fukushima Daiichi Accident Risk to Malaysians

• Address concerns immediately – situation in Japan, impact to Malaysia and Malaysians–Aware of rumours circulated- address it

• Need to see actions being taken– sometimes actions taken are not in line with threat level

• Comparisons with what other countries are doing

Assurance of the Public, Media, Industry on Radiological Risk

Lessons’ Learned1. One voice, One Message; multiple channels… and timely

Coordinate

[AELB, MOSTI]

Data & Information

•AELB•Nuclear Malaysia•Meteorological Dept.•Ministry of Health•Ministry of Foreign Affairs•Japanese Embassy in Malaysia•IEC, IAEA

Japanese AuthorityWebsites

- NISA, TEPCO, MEXT etc

Lessons’ Learned2. Share What is Being Done; What’s the Result

Public Information Press release

DATA TRANSMISSION

TO NREC in AELB HQ

SEAPORT

AIRPORT

BORDERS

ERMS

3. Show What You Have; How You Do It

Sharing of Environmental Sampling and Monitoring Result

Soil Sampel

In-Situ TLD/Film Badge

Water Sampel

Air Sampling

ERMS – 7 stations

Screening of Passengers, Flights and Cargoes from Japan during the Fukushima Accident

KLIA,LCCT,KKI, Penang

Lessons’ Learned4. Meet the Target Groups

Local Effects : Nuclear Accident in Other Countries

Mineral Processing Facility

Intense Public and Media Scrutiny

1. Spilled radiopharmaceutical incident

Incident limited to control area / hot zone

Short lived radionuclides (110 minutes)

Sharing of incident to media/public

Media, public & local political representative equate to Fukushima Daiichi radioactive release

• Information Dissemination Needs to Be Immediate

• In Need of Public Information/Education Program

Intense Public and Media Scrutiny

2. Mineral Processing Facility in Malaysia

Perceived as equal risk to NPP-Some, outright against

–Higher standard imposed–IAEA Expert Review Team –Public Review (RIA); Weekly Media Briefing–Appeal to Minister–Parliament Special Committee–Court Action to stop license approval

Areas for Enhancement

• Starts Before the Event (Incident/Accident)– Public awareness/ understanding/ education

program – Review on Educational System

• Nuclear/Radiation Protection Legal System• Improvements on Public

Relations/Communication• Social media; faster and wider information

dissemination

THANK YOUEnsuring Safety, Security

and Safeguarding Peaceful Nuclear Activities in Malaysia