MARAN, MALAYSIA: The government is willing to look into the use of nuclear energy if world prices of fossil fuel continue to rise, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

However, he said, the government would look into alternative sources before resorting to the use of nuclear energy.

He said the alternatives include solar energy, hydro and mini hydro power stations, biomass as well as renewable energy sources from rubbish.

Najib said this after launching the Science Learning Centre (PPS) at SMK Jengka 2, near here, yesterday.

With the setting up of the centre, students will undergo 12 hours of tuition each week for six pure science subjects, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and English. Tuition costs will be borne by Felda.

In his speech, Najib said the government did not only want to see the first generation of Felda settlers benefit from the federal land scheme, but also the subsequent generations.

"If the first generation of settlers made a physical migration to the scheme, the second and third generations will make a mental migration by improving and enhancing their mind not only through knowledge but also through spiritual and positive values."

Following these efforts, many Felda settlers' children have become professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants.

In Kuching, Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the ministry will submit a paper to the government soon on the use of nuclear power.

Speaking after closing an IT appreciation course at SMK Petra Jaya here, he could not say when the paper, drawn up jointly with the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, would be submitted as "certain procedures need to be adhered to first".

The current government policy is only to look for alternative power from five sources -- gas, diesel, wind, water and sun.

Fadillah said going nuclear to produce power was the most viable option in the long term.

"Nuclear power is the cheapest way to produce energy," he said.

"Nuclear plants are now also very safe. There have been no accidents in nuclear power plants anywhere in the world in the last 20 years, including in earthquake-prone countries like Japan."

He said Thailand was also considering it while Indonesia "is almost there".

Fadillah also said the task force committee set up by the ministry to look into alternative sources of renewable energy had recommended that crops and biological wastes be considered.