Sabahans protest Fukushima move: Fears it may eventually affect Sabah’s famous seafood
Published on: Saturday, July 08, 2023
Ronnie (left), Winston (second right) and Shiho after the meeting.
Kota Kinabalu: Former Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh Ee Eng said the Japanese Government should dig a lake in Japan and release radioactive waste water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into it, if it believes the water is safe, as claimed.
He said Japan’s decision to dump the radioactive waste water into the Pacific Ocean was very disappointing. He urged the Government to stop importing any products from Japan over the move. South Korea and China have also expressed alarm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ronnie and Sabah Travel and Tourism Agencies Association (Satta) Chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw met Japanese Consul in Kota Kinabalu, Shiho Kako, to register their protest.
Ronnie said in 2021, the Japanese Government approved the disposal of treated nuclear radiation waste into the Pacific.
“It is expected that more than one million tonnes of nuclear waste will be gradually released into the ocean in 2023 for 30 years,” he said, Thursday, adding that the National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) was also strongly against Japan’s action.
He said dumping radiation waste would destroy the marine ecosystem and affect China, South Korea, Taiwan and other countries in the Pacific.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Sabah will not be spared from the impact because seafood is one of the State’s main export products. Although Sabah is located in the South China Sea, the ocean currents are large and wide, and it is certain that they will also reach this area.
“If Japan claims the waste is treated and safe, I suggest the Japanese Government dig a lake or reservoir in the country and release the waste in its own country, instead of throwing it into the sea and threatening marine life and the rest of the world,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also hoped the Japanese seafood industry would protest their own country’s actions while being sensitive to the reactions of people in other countries.
“Don’t act cruelly and inhumanely and threaten life,” he said.
Shiho said the Japanese Government’s intention is based on set safety standards.
He said based on the study, the treated waste will only flow in the water area within a distance of three kilometres from the power station involved.
“Japan also has a comprehensive monitoring plan and regularly collects relevant data from the Pacific Ocean around Japan.
“The results of the seawater and marine products tested will be published for the world to know. In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency also carries out environmental supervision,” he said.
Ronnie suggested that Shiho bring the results of the study of treated radiation waste and seafood in Japan to Sabah to prove the level of safety to the people in this State.
Winston said the Japanese Government’s decision caused concern also to the region.
He said some of his acquaintances told him they refused to travel to Japan because they were worried about the radiation contamination of the Japanese water and seafood.
“The small quality of the waste test from the laboratory is different from the radiation released into the ocean.
“I urge Japan to use the data found as a result of the tests on the residual radiation waste into the ocean...this is only accurate,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
