SG4 open to exploring small nuclear reactors, says Samsuri

 The Terengganu menteri besar says small-scale nuclear reactors should be considered given their potential to meet the country’s energy needs.

Terengganu menteri besar and PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said Malaysia should consider small-scale nuclear technology rather than large nuclear power plants.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The four Perikatan Nasional-controlled states are open to pioneering research into emerging nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors as a potential alternative source of energy in the future, says Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

The four states, or SG4, are Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.

Samsuri, who is also the PN chairman, said he had visited a nuclear power station overseas and seen the scale of its reactors and related facilities.

He said Malaysia should consider small-scale nuclear technology rather than large nuclear power plants, given its potential to meet the country’s energy needs.

“We are open to exploring this technology and any opportunities that may arise, whether in the SG4 states or elsewhere in Malaysia, should we come to power after the 16th general election,” he told a press conference at the SG4 Business & Economic Forum 2026 today.

State autonomy over infrastructure

Samsuri also called for state governments to have greater say in deciding which infrastructure projects should take priority, rather than leaving such decisions largely to Putrajaya.

He said state and federal governments needed to work more closely to ensure projects important to the states were considered for inclusion in the Malaysia Plan and its rolling plans.

“Sometimes our priorities are not their priorities, and this is where we need to address the problems in state-federal relations.

“States should be given more room to decide which projects they want to prioritise, rather than leaving those decisions to the federal government. That is not happening now,” he said.

He said SG4 hopes to change this if it succeeds in forming the government after GE16. - FMT