The Public's Right to Know: Communicating the Science of Radiation Risks and Standards in Malaysia

• In Event: Risks and Standards in the Knowledge Circulation of Science and Technology for Development

Abstract

With Malaysia as case study, this presentation is interested in exploring the intersection between scientific cultures, scientific literacies and agnotology (ignorance) in relation to how epistemic and informational justice are enacted in the communication of risks and safety of radiation from non-nuclear power plant sources and radioactive wastes; then compare the issues raised in relation to safety standards and security as the state prepares for the possibility of constructing nuclear power plants. As an emerging market for nuclear energy, Malaysia is currently in the process of assessing its nuclear science and technological capacity, and is therefore, a target of vendors looking to offload their products. The introduction of technology with hidden features, or one which the nation may not yet have the technical expertise to back-engineer, requires the assessment of new risks being introduced while igniting again, the issue of trust and technological determinism. This presentation will then consider how secrecy and suppression of information pertaining to radiation safety and hazards with the intention of avoiding public panic produce the adverse effect of increasing distrust from the public towards the authorities tasked with implementing nuclear energy technologies. While the authorities may argue that such suppression is for the public’s good due to the latter’s ignorance about the intricacies of the science involved and therefore, lacking in the ability to interpret the technical information accurately, the public will interpret this as subterfuge by the authorities. Finally, this presentation will consider the role of informational activism in clarifying or confusing issues pertinent to radiation risks and safety among emergent adopters of nuclear energy, and how Malaysia might be part of that conversation.

Author

• Clarissa Ai Ling Lee, Sunway University