ACT A1779 GAZETTED, ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY SCOPE EXPANDED

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2025 was granted royal assent by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Nov 20 and subsequently gazetted as the Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Act 2025 (Act A1779) on Nov 28.

Act A1779 is set to come into partial force from Dec 1, 2025, introducing several reforms to its legal framework, including renaming the existing act as the Atomic Energy Act 1984 (Act 304).

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) said in a statement today that Act A1779 strengthens and enhances the legal framework for the control and regulation of atomic energy activities, providing adequate protection for workers, the public, and the environment against risks associated with atomic energy, as well as ensuring the safety and security of radioactive and nuclear materials.

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The Act also provides for the application of relevant measures to control the use of nuclear materials and establish liability for nuclear damage, as well as provisions for related matters.

“Through the Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Act 2025, the scope of control and regulation of atomic energy activities has been expanded to cover safety, security and safeguards, moving towards comprehensive nuclear legislation in line with international standards and best practices,” said MOSTI

The expansion of the scope is also in line with international instruments on atomic energy and serves as a preparatory measure for Malaysia towards signing and ratifying such agreements.

According to MOSTI, the Act will be enforced in stages, with provisions on permits, financial guarantees for licences, the Radioactive Waste Fund, and compounds over offences coming into force once the relevant regulations have been drafted.

“The Department of Atomic Energy is committed to enforcing Act A1779 to ensure that safety, security and the control of atomic energy activities remain a top priority, protecting workers, the public and the environment, as well as safeguarding the country’s interests,” said MOSTI.

--BERNAMA