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PETALING JAYA: No increase in radioactivity levels has been detected in Malaysian waters following the release of treated water from the disabled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Bernama quoted science, technology and innovation minister Chang Lih Kang as saying the monitoring was initiated after the release of the water by the Japanese authorities in August and October.

He said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had concluded that the release of treated water was consistent with international safety standards.

“IAEA, in its findings, reported that the controlled and gradual discharges of treated water to the sea would have a negligible radiological impact on the people and the environment.

“However, as a proactive measure to ensure the Malaysian waters remain unaffected, the ministry, through the atomic energy department, has been monitoring the radioactivity levels using the Gamma Spectrum Water Monitoring System installed at the jetty of the Borneo Marine Research Institute at Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Kota Kinabalu,” he said.

Chang was responding to a question from Koh Nai Kwong in the Dewan Negara over his concern about any increase in radioactivity levels in Malaysian waters.