Muhammad Azri bin Muhammed Nor (Berlin)(nuclear engineer)

Malaysia will build a hydro nuclear reactor in 2021 in preparation to face the shortage
of energy in the future. For sure, we need a lot of physicists and engineers especially in
nuclear field. I choose to become a nuclear engineer in order to answer the government call to
boost the nuclear industry. Basically, what nuclear engineers do is something that related to
atomic particles. They usually work in reactors that built up for various purposes such as for
making weapon and electricity generation. The United Nation’s sanction against Iran is not a
discourage event for Malaysia to have it own reactor. For me, we have right to have nuclear
reactors as we already signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). I believe, there are
many challenges are waiting for me in this field, but i knew that i will work at the thing that i
love, it will help me to give full commitment on my job.

The first thing i learned about nuclear was atomic bombs that hit Hiroshima and
Nagasaki in Second World War. That is an example of the strength of nuclear energy but
used in wrong way. i just cannot imagine how cruel they were. Try to imagine, if they used
the energy for something better, for example, generation of electricity. I am very interested in
this field mainly because of this reason, generation of electricity. i would like to see Malaysia
uses nuclear energy in the near future and it is a proud if i am one of the members of the team
that make it come true. At this moment, Malaysia hold abundant of unused reserve of
plutonium in Bukit Bakar, Kelantan. It is a very pleasant opportunity for us to use them in
order to produce nuclear energy.

More than 70% of generation of electricity in Malaysia are from hydrocarbon source,
which is burning of petroleum product. The stock of fossil fuel in Malaysia nowadays could
only last until 2016. Even though the government had already taken a proactive steps by
building Bakun hydroelectric generator in Sarawak that can produce up to 26 Gigawatt power
which can minimise the effect of oil price incensement in world’s market, but it is not
sufficient to provide the energy for the whole population in west Malaysia. In my opinion, by
introducing a nuclear source of energy in our national power grid is the ultimate solution for
this shortage. For this purpose, Malaysia should have many nuclear and electrical engineers
in order to not using foreign expert. The demand to have local expert and local technology is
very crucial to avoid any foreign power manipulation on our future. This is one of the
triggering factors for me to choose nuclear engineer as my future career.
 To be respected nowadays is no longer by having a lot of money, but through the
ownership of modern and sophisticated weaponry. Malaysia was one of the countries that
played a very significant role in this region as well as in the world. But nowadays, Malaysia
is no more a key player in the world’s politic. By having strong military movement, we may
have the influence again. According to a study carried out by Dr Muhammad Faisal Keling, a
lecturer from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia had the best military
equipment in year 1980-1985 when we purchased KD Tunku Abdul Rahman from French.
That’s why we were said as a key player in southeast’s countries region. But, it is not
necessary for Malaysia in order to be an influence country by having nuclear reactor, but it
can accelerate the rate of the development of modern weapon. The third reason to become an
engineer in nuclear field is to help Malaysia to build defensive modern weapons.

An unofficial statement by Singapore’s defence minister said that if a war started

between Malaysia and Singapore, we (Singapore’s military) could conquer Pahang in one
week. This statement shows how weak Malaysia’s defence. We did not purchased weapon in
big scale ever. We did not spend more than 5% of our KDNK because we do not want any
arm race in this region. But other countries do not think as we are. Singapore spend RM20
billion and Indonesia RM2 billion in 2007 for their military purpose while Malaysia spend
only RM400 million on that year. This makes our country weaker in military aspect. By
having our own weapon factories or manufacturers, we could minimise the budget to
purchase military equipments. We should have a lot of engineers and physicist in nuclear
field to do that and this is the fourth reason for me to choose this wonderful field to further
my study and then becoming a nuclear engineer.

Lastly, I hope that Malaysia’s universities could offer nuclear study in order to
produce many more nuclear scientists. By having our own nuclear program, the development
of this field would be accelerating. There would be many research carried out about nuclear
energy that can be use for the sake of humankind. We should make Iran as a good example,
they intend to have nuclear reactor for medical and electricity generation although some
arrogant countries try to deny their right. I would like to serve my country in the field that i
can do my very best. I am ready to face any kind of challenges and threat in this interesting
job.