by Cundoko Aprilianto
JAKARTA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is committed to have a nuclear power plant soon as new source of energy, officials said here on Monday.
For the purpose, Indonesia has allocated 7 billion rupiah (about 769,633 U.S. dollars) for nuclear power plant socialization to curb fear among people.
"The government has allocated the fund in 2009. That is a clear indication that the government is ready to move to seize the opportunity," Minister for Research and Technology Suharna Suryapranata told a parliamentary hearing.
He said that his ministry is given limited authority for the project, just for preparation of the power plant construction.
However, he said that Indonesia is ready to embrace the technology as since its first preparation in 1979 there has no single case that indicates the government's incapability.
"According to our view, we are ready now and we are waiting for the Ministry for Energy and Mineral Resources to implement it, " said the minister.
He admitted that resistance has emerged from various elements of people.
