LAWS OF MALAYSIA

ONLINE VERSION OF UPDATED

TEXT OF REPRINT

Act 304

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING

ACT 1984
As at 1 December 2011
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ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING ACT 1984

Date of Royal Assent … … … … 27 June 1984

Date of publication in the Gazette … … 28 June 1984

PREVIOUS REPRINTS

First Reprint … … … … … 2001

Second Reprint … … … … … 2006

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LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 304

ATOMIC ENERGY

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

PRELIMINARY
Section

1. Short title and application

2. Interpretation

PART II

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING BOARD

3. Establishment of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board

4. Chairman of the Board
5. Executive secretary to the Board
6. Meetings of the Board
7. Rules for regulating meetings and proceedings
8. Functions of the Board
9. Committees of the Board
10. Power to charge, receive and recover fees
11. Power of the Minister to issue directions

PART III

CONTROL AND LICENSING

12. Licensing of nuclear installation and of activities

4 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304
Section

13. Classification of licences

14. Exclusion of activity of prospecting or mining and requirement for reporting
15. Licensing authority
16. Application for licence
17. Conditions in licences
18. Security for licences
19. Registers
20. Returns
21. Return of every sale of radioactive material, etc.

PART IV

CANCELLATION, SUSPENSION AND RENEWAL

OF LICENCES

22. Cancellation or suspension of licence

23. Renewal of licence
24. Licensee to obtain prior approval of appropriate authority for change of
address

PART V

HEALTH AND SAFETY

25. Protection of workers

PART VI

DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE

26. Control of disposal of radioactive waste

27. Control of accumulation of radioactive waste
28. Appropriate authority may direct licensee to rectify situation where facilities
not adequate
29. Appropriate authority may order licensee or other person to adopt measures to
protect life, health and property
30. Transport of radioactive waste with prior authorization of appropriate authority
 Atomic Energy Licensing 5

Section

31. Discretion to consult Director General of Environmental Quality

PART VII

APPEALS

32. Appeals

PART VIII

POWERS OF SEIZURE AND ARREST,

OFFENCES AND FORFEITURE

33. Search warrant

34. Circumstances for search without warrant
35. Right of entry, etc.
36. Taking of samples, etc.
37. Indemnity of Government of Malaysia, appropriate authority and public
officer
38. Forfeiture
39. Obstruction of inspection, search or investigation an offence
40. Offence
41. Secrecy

PART IX

LIABILITY FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE

42. Meaning of “installation operator" for purposes of Part

43. Liability of installation operator
44. Liability for nuclear damage from nuclear material in transit
45. Absolute and exclusive liability
46. Exceptions to liability
47. Recourse action
48. Governments to claim compensation for nuclear damage to environment
49. Gross negligence or intentional act of claimant
50. Liability not affected by Act
6 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304
Section

51. Carrier of nuclear material or person handling radioactive waste designated as

installation operator
52. Several installation operators liable
53. Liability of single operator of several nuclear installations involved in one
nuclear incident
54. Non-nuclear damage deemed nuclear damage
55. Certificate to carrier
56. Several nuclear installations on same site
57. Investigation of nuclear incidents
58. Compulsory examination and treatment
59. Limit of liability
60. Financial security
61. Government indemnity
62. Intervention in court proceedings
63. Prescription of rights and actions
64. Prescription with respect to nuclear material stolen, lost, jettisoned or
abandoned
65. When claims exceed maximum limit
66. Exclusions

PART X

GENERAL

67. Delegation of powers and duties

68. Regulations
69. Exemptions
70. Repeal of Radioactive Substances Act 1968
71. Operation of Act
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 304

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING ACT 1984

An Act to provide for the regulation and control of atomic energy, for
the establishment of standards on liability for nuclear damage and for
matters connected therewith or related thereto.
[1 February 1985, P.U. (B) 44/1985]
BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan
Agong with the advice and consent of the Dewan Negara and Dewan
Rakyat in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as
follows:

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Short title and application

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Atomic Energy Licensing Act
1984.

(2) This Act shall apply throughout Malaysia.

Interpretation

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“appropriate authority” means —
(a) the Director General of Health where the activity to be
licensed or licensed under this Act is in respect of a
medical purpose as determined by the Board; or
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(b) the Board where the activity to be licensed or licensed

under this Act is in respect of a purpose other than a
medical purpose;
“atomic energy" means all energy of whatever type derived from or
created by the transmutation of atom “Board" means the Atomic
Energy Licensing Board established under section 3;
“conveyance" includes a ship, train, vehicle, an aircraft, and any
other means of transport by which persons or goods may be carried;
“dealing", in relation to any radioactive material, nuclear material,
prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus, means any activity
involving the manufacturing, trading, producing, processing,
purchasing, owning, using, transporting, transferring, handling,
selling, storing, importing or exporting of such radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus;
“environment” shall have the meaning assigned to that expression
in section 2 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 [Act 127] and, in
addition thereto, shall include the marine environment;
“installation operator” means a person licensed under this Act by
the appropriate authority as the operator of a nuclear installation;
“ionizing radiation” means electromagnetic radiation or corpuscular
radiation capable of producing ionization in its passage through
matter;
“irradiating apparatus” means apparatus capable of producing
ionizing radiation;
“licensee” means the holder of a licence issued under this Act;
“nuclear damage” means any loss of life, injury to the person, loss
of, loss of use of, or damage to, property, or loss in, loss of use of, or
damage to, the environment, which arises out of or results from—
(a) radioactive properties or a combination of radioactive
properties with toxic, explosive or other hazardous
properties of nuclear fuel or radioactive products or waste
in, or of nuclear material coming from, originating in, or
sent to, a nuclear installation; or
(b) ionizing radiation emitted by any other source of radiation
inside a nuclear installation;
 Atomic Energy Licensing 9

“nuclear fuel” means any material which is capable of producing

energy by a self-sustaining chain process of nuclear fission, either
alone or in combination with some other material, and includes
fissionable material in the form of uranium metal, alloy or chemical
compound, and such other material as the Board may from time to
time by order in the Gazette determine to be nuclear fuel for the
purposes of this Act;
“nuclear incident” means any occurrence or a series of occurrences,
having the same origin, which causes or cause nuclear damage;
“nuclear installation” means—
(a) any nuclear reactor other than one with which a means of
sea or air transport is equipped for use as a source of
power, whether for propulsion thereof or for any other
purpose;
(b) any factory using nuclear fuel for the production of
nuclear material;
(c) any factory using nuclear material for the production of
nuclear fuel or any factory designed or adapted for the
processing of nuclear material, including the reprocessing
of irradiated nuclear fuel; or
(d) any facility where nuclear material is placed or stored
other than storage incidental to the carriage of such
material:
Provided that the appropriate authority may determine that several
nuclear installations of one installation operator which are located at
the same site shall be considered as a single nuclear installation;
“nuclear material” means nuclear fuel or other material used for the
fabrication of nuclear fuel;
“nuclear reactor” means any structure containing nuclear fuel in
such an arrangement that a self-sustaining chain process of nuclear
fission can occur therein without an additional source of neutrons;
“person” means any individual, partnership, private or public body
whether corporate or not, institution or organization, or any
international body, institution or organization enjoying legal
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personality under the law of the country or the territory of the country
where the nuclear installation is situated;
“prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister in regulations;
“radioactive material” means any nuclear fuel, radioactive product
or radioactive waste;
“radioactive waste” means any waste which consists wholly or
partly of—
(a) a substance or article which if it were not waste would be
radioactive material; or
(b) a substance or article which has been contaminated in the
course of the production, storage or use of any radioactive
material, nuclear material or prescribed substance or by
contact with or proximity to any other waste within the
meaning of paragraph (a) of this definition;
“radiologist” means a registered medical practitioner who has
received special training and has special knowledge in the use or
application of ionizing radiation for diagnosing any condition of the
human body;
“radiotherapist” means a registered medical practitioner who has
received special training and has special knowledge in the use or
application of ionizing radiation or a prescribed substance for the
purpose of treating or alleviating any abnormal condition of the
human body or for any other purpose requiring such specialized
knowledge;
“registered dentist”, “registered medical practitioner”, “registered
pharmacist” and “registered veterinary surgeon” mean respectively a
dentist, a medical practitioner, a pharmacist and a veterinary surgeon,
each registered as such in accordance with the provisions of the
written laws relating to the registration of such persons;
“regulations” means regulations made under this Act;
“senior public officer” means any public officer authorized in
writing generally or specially by the appropriate authority to exercise
powers under this Act and includes the Director General of Health
where he is the appropriate authority;
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“this Act” includes regulations and other subsidiary legislation

made under this Act and anything else done under this Act or under
such regulations or other subsidiary legislation.

PART II

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING BOARD

Establishment of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board

3. (1) There is established for the purposes of this Act a body to

be known as the Atomic Energy Licensing Board whose members
shall be appointed by the Minister.
(2) The Board shall consist of a Chairman and four other
members, all of whom shall have scientific or technical qualifications
relevant to atomic energy or other disciplines connected therewith.
Among the members there shall be a representative each from the
Ministry responsible for health and the Ministry responsible for
matters under this Act.
(3) A member of the Board shall, unless he sooner resigns or
vacates his office or his appointment is sooner revoked, hold office
for a term of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) The appointment of any member of the Board may be revoked
at any time by the Minister without assigning any reason therefor.
(5) A member of the Board may by letter under his hand
addressed to the Minister resign his office and such resignation shall
become effective upon its acceptance by the Minister.
(6) The members of the Board may be paid such allowances and
other expenses in connection with the work of the Board as the
Minister may from time to time determine with the concurrence of
the Minister of Finance.

Chairman of the Board

4. (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Chairman of the Board shall
preside over all its meetings.
(2) The Chairman shall not vote on any matter before the Board
except as provided under subsection 6(3).
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(3) The Minister may appoint any member of the Board to act as
temporary Chairman during any period when —
(a) the Chairman is unable for any reason to perform his
duties and functions or exercise his powers under this Act;
or
(b) the office of Chairman is vacant;
and any member so appointed to act as temporary Chairman may
accordingly perform the duties and functions and exercise the powers
of the Chairman during such period.

Executive secretary to the Board

5. The head of the department in the Ministry responsible for
matters under this Act shall be the executive secretary to the Board.

Meetings of the Board

6. (1) The Board shall meet at least three times a year at such
times and at such places as the Chairman may appoint.
(2) Four members, including the Chairman, shall constitute the
quorum of the Board.
(3) In the event of an equal division of votes on any matter before
the Board, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

Rules for regulating meetings and proceedings

7. Subject to this Act, the Board may make rules for regulating its
meetings and proceedings, and those of committees appointed under
section 9.

Functions of the Board

8. The Board shall, in addition to any other functions assigned to it
under this Act, have the following functions:
(a) to advise the Minister and the Government of Malaysia on
matters relating to this Act and developments pertaining
thereto with particular reference to the implications of
such developments for Malaysia;
 Atomic Energy Licensing 13

(b) to exercise control and supervision over the production,

application and use of atomic energy and matters
incidental thereto;
(c) to establish, maintain and develop scientific and technical
co-operation with such other bodies, institutions or
organizations in relation to nuclear matters or atomic
energy as the Board thinks fit for the purposes of this Act;
(d) where so directed by the Government of Malaysia, to
perform or provide for the performance of the obligations
arising from agreements, conventions or treaties relating
to nuclear matters or atomic energy to which Malaysia is a
party where such agreements, conventions or treaties
relate to the purposes of this Act; and
(e) to do such other things arising out of or consequential to
the functions of the Board under this Act which are not
inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, whether or not
directed by the Minister.

Committees of the Board

9. (1) The Board may from time to time appoint such committees
as it considers necessary or expedient to assist it in the performance
of its functions under this Act.
(2) Subject to this Act and any rules made under section 7, such
committees may regulate their own procedure.
(3) The members of such committees may be paid such
allowances and other expenses in connection with the work of the
committees as the Minister may from time to time determine with the
concurrence of the Minister of Finance.

Power to charge, receive and recover fees

10. (1) The Board shall have the power to charge and receive fees
and, through the Government of Malaysia, recover fees for any
services rendered by the Board.
(2) The power under subsection (1) shall be without prejudice to
the power of the Minister under paragraph 68(2)(m).
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Power of the Minister to issue directions

11. The Minister may from time to time give the Board directions
not inconsistent with this Act as to the policy to be followed in the
performance of the functions and the exercise of the powers of the
Board and the Board shall give effect to such directions.

PART III

CONTROL AND LICENSING

Licensing of nuclear installation and of activities

12. (1) Without prejudice to the requirements of any other law, no
person shall —
(a) site, construct or operate a nuclear installation;
(b) deal in, possess or dispose of any radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance or irradiating
apparatus,
unless he is the holder of a valid licence issued under subsection
16(5) by the appropriate authority for such purpose and as specified
in the licence.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in respect of—
(a) any radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance or irradiating apparatus carried as part of the
stores or equipment of any ship or aircraft; and in the
event of doubt whether such radioactive material, nuclear
material, prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus is
so carried, a certificate issued by the Board stating that
such radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance or irradiating apparatus is or is not part of such
stores or equipment shall be final and conclusive; or
(b) any person acting lawfully under the supervision or
instruction of a person in possession of a valid licence
issued under this Act.
(3) A licence for using any radioactive material, nuclear material,
prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus for diagnostic or
 Atomic Energy Licensing 15

therapeutic purposes may be issued only to a registered medical

practitioner, registered veterinary surgeon, radiologist, radiotherapist
or registered dentist.

Classification of licences
13. (1) The Minister may make regulations under paragraph
68(2)(c) for the classification of licences issued under this Act.
(2) No person shall use any radioactive material, nuclear material,
prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus for any purpose other
than that specified in the licence issued to him in respect of that
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed substance or
irradiating apparatus.
Exclusion of activity of prospecting or mining and requirement
for reporting
14. (1) For the avoidance of doubt, the expressions “producing”
and “production” in this Act in relation to any radioactive material,
nuclear material or prescribed substance shall not include either of
the activities of prospecting or mining for any radioactive material,
nuclear material or prescribed substance. These activities shall be
governed by the relevant laws relating to mining.
(2) Any person who, in carrying out either of the activities of
prospecting or mining or both, encounters, discovers or comes into
possession of any radioactive material, nuclear material or prescribed
substance shall immediately report such fact to the Board in writing
and shall comply with all directions that the Board may give in the
matter, being directions not inconsistent with the relevant laws
relating to mining.

Licensing authority
15. (1) Subject to this section, the licensing authority under this
Act shall be the Board.
(2) The Board shall grant a general licence to the Director
General of Health to issue separate licences on behalf of the Board to
any person applying for a licence to undertake any of the activities
referred to in the classification of licences under this Act where such
activities are in respect of medical purposes.
16 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

(3) The Director General of Health shall process the application

in the same manner as is provided under this Act for the processing of
a licence issued by the Board and any reference hereinafter to the
expression “licence” shall, unless the context otherwise requires,
mean a licence issued by the appropriate authority, being the Director
General of Health or the Board, as the case may be.

Application for licence

16. (1) An applicant for a licence under this Act shall first make
an application in that behalf to the Board.
(2) Upon such application being made, the Board shall determine
if the activity to be licensed is in respect of a medical purpose or a
purpose other than a medical purpose.
(3) If the Board determines that the activity to be licensed is in
respect of a medical purpose, the Board shall refer the application to
the Director General of Health for the Director General of Health to
consider the application.
(4) If the Board determines that the activity to be licensed is in
respect of a purpose other than a medical purpose, the Board shall
proceed to deal with the application.
(5) The appropriate authority may thereafter issue to the applicant
a licence in the prescribed form upon payment of the prescribed fee
or may, if it thinks fit, refuse to issue such licence.
(6) Every licence issued under this Act shall, unless sooner
cancelled or suspended, continue in force for such period not
exceeding three years as the appropriate authority may in each case
determine.

Conditions in licences
17. (1) Licences issued under this Act shall be subject to such
conditions as may, be imposed by the appropriate authority which
may in respect of the conditions imposed by it, add to, vary or revoke
such conditions at any time.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), a licence referred to in
the classification of the licences may be restricted to radioactive
materials, nuclear materials or prescribed substances of a specified
kind or kinds, or may be restricted to specified diagnostic or
 Atomic Energy Licensing 17

therapeutic purposes, which are limited in their type and nature; and a
licence issued in respect of an irradiating apparatus may be restricted
to a specified kind or kinds of such apparatuses, or may be restricted
to specified diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, which are limited in
their type and nature.

Security for licences

18. (1) The appropriate authority may require that before any
licence is issued under this Act, such security as it may specify shall
be furnished for the due observance of the conditions of the licence.
(2) Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act, where
there is any breach of any of the conditions of the licence, such
security or part thereof as the appropriate authority may determine
shall be forfeited to the Government of Malaysia.

Registers
19. (1) The appropriate authority shall keep and maintain such
registers as may be prescribed for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The contents of every such register may be proved in any
proceeding without production of the register by a certificate under
the hand of the appropriate authority and every such certificate shall
be prima facie proof of the matters stated therein.

Returns
20. (1) Every licensee who has in his possession or under his
control any radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance or irradiating apparatus shall make a return of such
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed substance or
irradiating apparatus to the appropriate authority as may be
prescribed.
(2) Every such return shall specify the quantity and the type of
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed substance or
irradiating apparatus in the possession of or under the control of the
licensee together with such other particulars as the appropriate
authority may from time to time require.

Return of every sale of radioactive material, etc.

21. (1) A return of every sale of any radioactive material, nuclear
material, prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus shall be
18 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

submitted to the Board by the person selling the radioactive material,

nuclear material, prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus within
two weeks of the sale and such return shall contain the authenticated
name and address of the person to whom the radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus is sold,
in addition to any other particulars that the Board may require.
(2) Where the radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance or irradiating apparatus is sold in respect of a medical
purpose, the Board shall forward a copy of the return to the Director
General of Health.

PART IV

CANCELLATION, SUSPENSION AND RENEWAL

OF LICENCES

Cancellation or suspension of licence

22. (1) The appropriate authority may at any time under any of
the following circumstances in its discretion cancel, or suspend for
such period as it may think fit, any licence issued under this Act—
(a) where the licensee has committed an offence under this
Act;
(b) where the licensee has committed a breach of any of the
conditions of the licence;
(c) where the licensee ceases to work or operate the nuclear
installation in respect of which the licence was issued; or
(d) where in the opinion of the appropriate authority it would
be in the public interest so to do.
(2) Where a licence has been cancelled or suspended, the
appropriate authority may at the time of such cancellation or
suspension, or from time to time thereafter during the remainder of
the period for which if it were not for the cancellation or suspension
the licence would have been valid, give the licensee such directions
as it may deem necessary in the public interest and the licensee shall
comply with all such directions.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 19

(3) The licensee shall not have any claim whatsoever or be

entitled to compensation for any loss caused to him by the
cancellation or suspension of a licence issued under this Act or by the
refusal to renew such licence.

Renewal of licence
23. (1) A licence issued under this Act may from time to time be
renewed.
(2) An application to renew a licence shall be made to the
appropriate authority in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) The appropriate authority may on such application renew the
licence or may, if it thinks it fit so to do, refuse to renew the licence.

Licensee to obtain prior approval of appropriate authority for

change of address
24. Every licensee shall obtain the prior approval of the appropriate
authority in respect of any change of address of the premises
specified in the licence.

PART V

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Protection of workers
25. (1) Every licensee shall comply with all such directives as the
appropriate authority may issue from time to time for the protection
of the health and for the safety of workers and all other persons from
ionizing radiation, including directives in respect of matters
pertaining to—
(a) conditions of exposure;
(b) dose limitation;
(c) occupational exposure;
(d) medical exposure;
(e) exposure of members of the public and persons other than
workers, excluding medical exposure;
20 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

(f) accidental exposure;

(g) emergency exposure; and
(h) exposure other than any of those specified in paragraphs
(a) to (g).
(2) If the appropriate authority has reasonable cause to believe
that any worker has been or is likely to be exposed to ionizing
radiation, the appropriate authority may require the licensee—
(a) to provide and require such worker to wear approved
personnel-monitoring devices;
(b) to keep records of dose and type of ionizing radiation to
which such worker has been or is likely to be exposed;
(c) to install or use monitoring devices in work places to
record the amount of ionizing radiation present and to
keep records thereof; and
(d) to provide medical examination for such worker by an
approved registered medical practitioner at such intervals
as the appropriate authority may determine.
(3) The appropriate authority may in its discretion require the
licensee to provide at such intervals as it may determine medical
examination by an approved registered medical practitioner for all or
any of the workers of the licensee who are exposed or are likely to be
exposed to ionizing radiation.
(4) Any registered medical practitioner performing a medical
examination under paragraph (2)(d) or subsection (3) shall inform the
appropriate authority in the prescribed form of every worker whose
health is or is reasonably suspected to be affected by ionizing
radiation.
(5) For the purposes of this section, “worker” includes any person
working under the instruction of the licensee, whether or not
employed by the licensee, in the handling or use of, or who will come
into contact with, any radioactive material, nuclear material,
prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus.
(6) The Minister may prescribe the basic safety standards for the
protection of workers and all other persons against ionizing radiation.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 21

PART VI

DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE

Control of disposal of radioactive waste

26. (1) No person shall dispose of or cause to be disposed any
radioactive waste without the prior authorization in writing of the
appropriate authority.
(2) Any authorization given under this section may be subject to
such conditions as the appropriate authority may impose.

Control of accumulation of radioactive waste

27. (1) No person shall accumulate or cause to be accumulated

any radioactive waste on any premises without the prior authorization
in writing of the appropriate authority.
(2) Any authorization given under this section may be subject to
such conditions as the appropriate authority may impose.
(3) Where the disposal of any radioactive waste has been
authorized under section 26 and in accordance with that authorization
the waste is required or permitted to be accumulated with a view to
subsequent disposal thereof, no further authorization under this
section shall be necessary to enable the waste to be accumulated or
caused to be accumulated in accordance with the authorization given
under section 26.
(4) For the purposes of this section, where any radioactive
material, nuclear material or prescribed substance is produced, kept
or used in or on any premises and any substance arising from the
production, keeping or use of that radioactive material, nuclear
material or prescribed substance is accumulated in any part of the
premises appropriated for the purpose and is retained there for a
period of not less than three months, that substance arising from such
production, keeping or use shall, unless the contrary is proved, be
presumed—
(a) to be radioactive waste; and
(b) to be accumulated on the premises with a view to
subsequent disposal thereof.
22 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

Appropriate authority may direct licensee to rectify situation

where facilities not adequate
28. If it appears to the appropriate authority that adequate facilities
are not available for the safe accumulation, storage or disposal of any
radioactive waste, the appropriate authority may direct the licensee to
rectify the situation and the licensee shall give effect to such
direction.

Appropriate authority may order licensee or other person to

adopt measures to protect life, health and property

29. Where any situation or condition endangering life, health,

property or the environment is found to exist in or on any premises,
nuclear installation, conveyance or site, the appropriate authority may
direct the licensee or any other person, who in its opinion is
responsible for such premises, nuclear installation, conveyance or
site, to adopt such measures as would eliminate or protect against
such situation or condition.
Transport of radioactive waste with prior authorization of
appropriate authority
30. (1) No person shall transport any radioactive waste without
the prior authorization in writing of the appropriate authority.
(2) Any authorization given by the appropriate authority under
this section may be subject to such conditions as the appropriate
authority may think necessary to impose for the protection of the
public.

Discretion to consult Director General of Environmental Quality

31. In the performance of its functions under this Part, the
appropriate authority may, if it thinks it fit so to do, consult the
Director General of Environmental Quality appointed under
subsection 3(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 [Act 127] on
any matter under this Part.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 23

PART VII
APPEALS

Appeals
32. (1) Any person who is dissatisfied with any decision of the
appropriate authority made under this Act may within thirty days
after being notified of such decision give notice of appeal in writing
to the Minister in the prescribed manner.

(2) The Minister shall as soon as is practicable cause to be served

on the appellant a written notice specifying the date, time and place at
which the appeal is to be heard:

Provided that the date so specified shall in no case be earlier than

thirty days from the date of service of such notice.
(3) The grounds of appeal shall be submitted to the Minister not
less than ten days before the date fixed for the hearing of the appeal.
(4) At the hearing of the appeal the appellant may be present
either in person or by counsel and the Minister may call for such
evidence as he thinks fit.
(5) The Minister may, after hearing the appeal, make an order
confirming or setting aside the decision of the appropriate authority
or make such other order as he thinks fit, and the order of the
Minister shall be final and shall not be subject to any appeal or
review in any court.
(6) All parties concerned shall give effect to the decision of the
Minister in the matter.

PART VIII

POWERS OF SEIZURE AND ARREST,

OFFENCES AND FORFEITURE

Search warrant

33. (1) Whenever it appears to any Magistrate, upon written

information on oath and after such inquiry as he deems necessary,
24 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

that there is reasonable ground to believe that in or on any premises,

site, nuclear installation or conveyance there is concealed, kept,
deposited or stored any radioactive material, nuclear material,
prescribed substance or irradiating apparatus in respect of which an
offence has been committed under this Act, or any book or document
directly or indirectly relating to or connected with any dealing in any
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed substance or
irradiating apparatus which was, or any intended dealing of the same
which would be, an offence under this Act, that Magistrate may issue
a warrant authorizing any named senior public officer, by day or
night and with or without assistance—
(a) to enter the premises, site, nuclear installation or
conveyance and there to search for and seize such
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance, irradiating apparatus, book or document;
(b) to arrest any person being in or on the premises, site,
nuclear installation or conveyance in whose possession or
under whose control such radioactive material, nuclear
material, prescribed substance, irradiating apparatus, book
or document is found, or whom such officer reasonably
believes to have been dealing in such radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance or irradiating
apparatus, or to have been in possession or control of such
book or document or to have brought, received, concealed,
kept, deposited or stored such radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance, irradiating
apparatus, book or document.
(2) Such officer may if it is necessary so to do, with or without
assistance —
(a) break open any door or window or part of the premises,
site, nuclear installation or conveyance to have ingress
thereinto;
(b) forcibly enter the premises, site, nuclear installation or
conveyance and every part of it;
(c) remove by force any obstruction to entry, search, seizure
and removal as he is empowered to effect; and
 Atomic Energy Licensing 25

(d) detain every person found in or on the premises, site,

nuclear installation or conveyance until the premises, site,
nuclear installation or conveyance has been searched.

Circumstances for search without warrant

34. (1) Whenever it appears to any senior public officer that there
is reasonable ground to believe that in or on any premises, site,
nuclear installation or conveyance there is concealed, kept, deposited
or stored, in contravention of this Act, any radioactive
material,nuclear material, prescribed substance, irradiating apparatus,
book or document as is described in subsection 33(1) and he has
reasonable ground for believing that by reason of the delay in
obtaining a search warrant the object of the search is likely to be
frustrated, he may exercise in, upon and in respect of the premises,
site, nuclear installation or conveyance all the powers mentioned in
section 33 in as full and ample a manner or if he had been so
empowered by warrant.
(2) Any senior public officer may stop and search, and seize if
necessary, any conveyance which he has reasonable ground for
believing to be used for the carriage of any radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance, irradiating apparatus, or any
other thing liable to forfeiture under this Act.

Right of entry, etc.

35. (1) Without prejudice to sections 33 and 34, any senior public
officer shall, for the purposes of this Act, have the right to―
(a) enter, inspect and search at all times any premises, site,
nuclear installation or conveyance in which such officer
has reasonable ground to believe that there is stored or
kept any radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance or irradiating apparatus or there is being
conducted any activity in respect of which a licence is
required under this Act, for the purpose of examining,
testing or calibrating that material, substance or irradiating
apparatus, as the case may be; or
(b) require the licensee or occupier of the premises, site or
nuclear installation or the person in charge of the
conveyance to provide such information or documents in
the possession or control of such licensee, occupier or
26 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

person relating to any activity in respect of which a

licence is required under this Act as the officer may
specify.
(2) Any officer exercising powers under subsection (1) shall
produce his letter of authorization or document of identification on
demand.

Taking of samples, etc.

36. Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Part, any senior
public officer may, while in or on the premises, site, nuclear
installation or conveyance referred to in this Part —
(a) take, without payment, such samples of any material or
substance which he believes to be radioactive material,
nuclear material, prescribed substance or radioactive
waste as are necessary for the examination and testing
thereof; or
(b) make copies of or extracts from any drawing, plan or
document found therein and, for the purpose of making
such copies or extracts, may remove any such drawing,
plan or document after giving a signed receipt for the
same and retain possession thereof for a period not
exceeding fourteen days.
Indemnity of Government of Malaysia, appropriate authority
and public officer
37. The Government of Malaysia, the appropriate authority or any
public officer acting under this Act shall not be liable to indemnify
any person who has suffered any damage to or loss of property
resulting from any entry, search or seizure under this Act unless the
damage or loss shall have been caused by the wilful neglect or wilful
default of the appropriate authority or public officer.

Forfeiture
38. (1) Any radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance, irradiating apparatus or radioactive waste in respect of
which an offence under this Act is committed, or any book, document
or conveyance connected with such offence, is liable to forfeiture.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 27

(2) Anything ordered to be forfeited under this Act shall be

disposed of in such manner as the appropriate authority may direct.

Obstruction of inspection, search or investigation an offence

39. Any person who—
(a) refuses any senior public officer access to any premises,
site, nuclear installation or conveyance which he is
entitled to have under this Act;
(b) assaults, obstructs, impedes or delays any senior public
officer in effecting any entry which he is entitled to effect
under this Act, or in the execution of any duty imposed or
power conferred under this Act;
(c) fails to comply with any lawful demand or order of any
senior public officer in the execution of any duty imposed
or power conferred under this Act;
(d) refuses or neglects to give to any senior public officer any
information which may reasonably be required and which
he has in his power to give;
(e) furnishes to any senior public officer as true, information
which he knows or has reason to believe to be false;
(f) conceals or attempts to conceal or fails to produce any
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance, irradiating apparatus, radioactive waste, book
or document in relation to which there is reasonable
ground for suspecting the commission of an offence under
this Act;
(g) escapes or attempts to escape from lawful custody after
having been arrested for an offence under this Act;
(h) rescues or attempts to rescue or causes to be rescued any
person who has been duly arrested or anything which has
been duly seized under this Act; or
(i) before or after any seizure under this Act, breaks or
destroys anything to prevent such seizure,
28 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

commits an offence under this Act and is, on conviction, liable to

imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not
exceeding five thousand ringgit or to both.

Offence
40. (1) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this
Act commits an offence under this Act.
(2) Any person who commits an offence under this Act is, on
conviction, where no penalty is expressly provided therefor, liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or a fine not
exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit or both.
(3) Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body
corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the
offence was a director or officer of that body corporate commits that
offence:
Provided that nothing in this subsection shall render any such
person so liable if he proves that he exercised all due diligence and
took all reasonable precautions to prevent the commission of such
offence and that such offence was committed without his knowledge,
consent and connivance.
(4) Any person who would have been liable under this Act to any
penalty for anything done or omitted if such thing had been done or
omitted by him personally, shall be liable to the same penalty if such
thing had been done or omitted by his partner, agent or servant,
unless he proves that he exercised all due diligence and took all
reasonable precautions to prevent the doing or omission of such thing
and that such thing was done or omitted without his knowledge,
consent and connivance.
(5) Without prejudice to the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593],
the prosecution of any offence committed under this Act may be
conducted by the appropriate authority or any senior public officer
authorized in writing generally or specially so to do by the
appropriate authority.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 29

Secrecy

41. Except for the purposes of this Act or of any proceedings under
this Act, no person shall disclose any information obtained under this
Act.

PART IX

LIABILITY FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE

Meaning of “installation operator” for purposes of Part

42. For the purposes of this Part, “installation operator” means—
(a) a person licensed under this Act by the appropriate
authority as the operator of a nuclear installation; or
(b) a person who but for the cancellation or suspension of a
licence issued under this Act would be the holder of such
a licence.

Liability of installation operator

43. (1) The installation operator shall be liable for nuclear
damage upon proof that such damage has been caused by a nuclear
incident
(a) in his nuclear installation; or
(b) involving nuclear material coming from or originating in
his nuclear installation, and occurring—
(i) before liability with regard to the nuclear incident
involving the nuclear material has been assumed,
pursuant to the express terms of a contract in
writing, by another installation operator; or
(ii) in the absence of such express terms, before
another installation operator has taken charge of
the nuclear material; or
(c) involving nuclear material sent to his nuclear installation,
and occurring—
30 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

(i) after liability with regard to a nuclear incident

involving the nuclear material has been assumed
by him, pursuant to the express terms of a contract
in writing, from another installation operator; or
(ii) in the absence of such express terms, after he has
taken charge of the nuclear material:
Provided that if nuclear damage is caused by a nuclear incident
occurring in a nuclear installation and involving nuclear material
stored therein incidental to the carriage of such material, paragraph
(a) shall not apply where another installation operator or any other
person is solely liable as provided in paragraph (b) or (c).
(2) The installation operator shall be liable for such nuclear
damage upon proof that the damage has been caused by a nuclear
incident involving nuclear material in the course of carriage—
(a) to his nuclear installation from a place outside Malaysia
from the time that the conveyance in which the nuclear
material is carried enters Malaysia; or
(b) from his nuclear installation to a place outside Malaysia
up to the time that the conveyance in which the nuclear
material is carried leaves Malaysia.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not apply where—
(a) there is any bilateral or multilateral arrangement to the
contrary between the Government of Malaysia and the
government of the country from which or to which the
nuclear material is carried; or
(b) there is any applicable provision in force to the contrary in
an international convention to which the Government of
Malaysia and the government of the country from which
or to which the nuclear material is carried are parties;
and where there is such arrangement or convention to the contrary in
force, the liability of the installation operator and all other persons
shall be determined in accordance therewith.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 31

Liability for nuclear damage from nuclear material in transit

44. (1) Where nuclear material is being carried through Malaysia
in transit on its way to its intended destination outside Malaysia and a
nuclear incident occurs in Malaysia, the person licensed to transport
the nuclear material by the competent authority in the country from
which the nuclear material is being carried out of shall be liable for
any nuclear damage caused.

(2) No person shall carry any nuclear material in transit

through Malaysia to its intended destination outside Malaysia
unless such person―

(a) furnishes such financial security as may be required by

the Board; and

(b) furnishes proof to the satisfaction of the Board that he

authorized by the country from which the nuclear
material is being carried out of so to do.

Absolute and exclusive liability

45. (1) The liability of the installation operator for any nuclear
damage shall be absolute.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this Part, no person other
than the installation operator shall be liable for nuclear damage.

Exceptions to liability
46. (1) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Act,
no person shall be liable for any nuclear damage caused by a nuclear
incident directly due to an act of armed conflict, hostilities, civil war,
insurrection or a grave natural disaster of an exceptional character.
(2) The installation operator shall not be liable under this Act for
nuclear damage―
(a) to the nuclear installation itself or to any property on the
site of that nuclear installation which is used or to be used
in connection with that nuclear installation; or
(b) to the conveyance in which the nuclear material involved
was carried at the time of the nuclear incident.
32 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

Recourse action
47. (1) Where nuclear damage has been caused by a nuclear
incident, the installation operator concerned shall have a right of
recourse only—
(a) if there is such a right pursuant to the express terms of a
contract in writing with another installation operator or
any other person;
(b) if the nuclear incident results from an act or omission with
intent to cause damage, against the person who has acted
or omitted to act with such intent; or
(c) if the nuclear incident results from stolen nuclear material,
against the person who stole or unlawfully received the
nuclear material causing the incident.
(2) The right of recourse of the installation operator concerned
under this section shall not in any way affect his liability under
section 45 to persons other than those referred to in this section.

Governments to claim compensation for nuclear damage to

environment
48. Where there is any nuclear damage to the environment, a claim
for compensation shall be made by the Government of Malaysia, the
Government of a State in Malaysia or by both, as the case may be,
according to whether the segment of the environment that is damaged
is within the jurisdiction of the Government of Malaysia, of a State in
Malaysia or of both.

Gross negligence or intentional act of claimant

49. If the installation operator proves that the nuclear damage
resulted wholly or partly either from the gross negligence of the
person suffering the damage or from an act or omission of such
person with intent to cause damage, the court may relieve the
installation operator from paying compensation in respect of the
damage suffered by such person.

Liability not affected by Act

50. Nothing in this Act shall affect the liability outside this Act of
the installation operator for nuclear damage for which, by virtue of
paragraph 46(2)(b), he is not liable under this Act.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 33

Carrier of nuclear material or person handling radioactive waste

designated as installation operator
51. The appropriate authority may, subject to such terms and
conditions as may be prescribed, designate a carrier of nuclear
material or a person handling radioactive waste, at the request of the
carrier or such person and with the consent of the installation operator
concerned, as installation operator in place of the installation operator
concerned in respect of such nuclear material or radioactive waste
respectively. Upon such designation such carrier or such person shall
be considered as an installation operator for the purposes of this Part.

Several installation operators liable

52. (1) Where nuclear damage engages the liability of more than
one installation operator, all the installation operators involved shall,
in so far as the damage attributable to each operator is not reasonably
separable, be jointly and severally liable.
(2) Where nuclear incident occurs in the course of carriage within
Malaysia of nuclear material, either in one and the same conveyance
or, in the case of storage incidental to carriage, in one and the same
nuclear installation, and causes nuclear damage which engages the
liability of more than one installation operator, the total liability shall
not exceed the amount established under section 59.
(3) Subject to subsection 61(2), in neither of the cases referred to
in subsections (1) and (2) shall the liability of any one installation
operator exceed the amount established under section 59.
Liability of single operator of several nuclear installations
involved in one nuclear incident
53. Subject to section 43, where several nuclear installations of one
and the same installation operator are involved in one nuclear
incident, such installation operator shall be liable in respect of each
nuclear installation involved up to the amount established under
section 59.

Non-nuclear damage deemed nuclear damage

54. Whenever both nuclear damage and damage other than nuclear
damage have been caused by a nuclear incident or jointly by a
nuclear incident and one or more other occurrences, such damage
34 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

shall, to the extent that it is not reasonably separable from the nuclear
damage, be deemed for the purposes of this Part to be nuclear damage
caused by that nuclear incident. Where, however, damage is caused
jointly by a nuclear incident for which provision is made under this
Part and by an emission of ionizing radiation for which provision is
not made under this Part, nothing in this Act shall limit or otherwise
affect liability, either as regards any person suffering nuclear damage,
or by way of recourse or contribution, or of any person who may be
held liable in connection with that emission of ionizing radiation.

Certificate to carrier
55. (1) The installation operator shall provide a carrier of nuclear
material with a certificate issued by or on behalf of the insurer or
other financial guarantor furnishing the financial security required
under section 60.
(2) The certificate shall state the name and address of the
installation operator and the amount, type and duration of the
financial security and these particulars shall not be disputed by the
person for whom or on whose behalf the certificate was issued.
(3) The certificate shall also indicate the nuclear material in respect
of which the financial security applies and shall include a statement
by the appropriate authority that the person designated is an
installation operator within the meaning of this Part.

Several nuclear installations on same site

56. The appropriate authority may determine that several nuclear
installations of one installation operator which are located at the same
site shall be considered as a single nuclear installation for the
purposes of this Part.

Investigation of nuclear incidents

57. (1) Any nuclear incident involving the application of this Act
shall be forthwith reported to the Board. The installation operator
concerned shall provide the Board with all information which it
requires with a view to evaluating the extent of nuclear damage
involved.
(2) The Board shall make an investigation of the cause and the
extent of the nuclear damage of the nuclear incident, and to the extent
that the Board deems it to be in the public interest, the Board's
 Atomic Energy Licensing 35

findings may be made available to the public and to the parties

involved, for the purposes of this Part.

Compulsory examination and treatment

58. (1) After the occurrence of a nuclear incident, the Board may
adopt such measures as are appropriate to determine the persons who
were or might have been exposed to ionizing radiation resulting from
such nuclear incident.

(2) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and for the purposes
of carrying into effect the measures referred to in subsection (1), the
Board may—

(a) require any person suspected or likely to be affected by

exposure to ionizing radiation to be medically examined
by a competent authority or body appointed by the
Minister;

(b) cause any such person to be removed to a hospital or other

place specially designated for the treatment, detection or
observation of any nuclear damage to such person, and to
detain such person until he can be discharged without
danger to himself or others; or
(c) cause a post-mortem examination to be made on any
corpse where the death is suspected to have been caused
by a nuclear incident or exposure to ionizing radiation.
(3) Any person who refuses, fails or neglects to submit for
examination, treatment, detection or observation under this section or
refuses or obstructs the post-mortem examination of a corpse under
this section commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not
exceeding two hundred ringgit or both.

Limit of liability
59. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary but subject to this
Part, the liability of an installation operator for nuclear damage under
this Act shall be limited to an amount equivalent at the
commencement of this Act to fifty million ringgit for any one nuclear
incident.
36 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

(2) The Board may, taking into account the size and nature of the
nuclear installation, the extent of the damage involved or any other
circumstances, prescribe a different limit of liability from that
provided under subsection (1) but such different limit of liability shall
in no event be less than an amount equivalent at the commencement
of this Act to twelve million ringgit for any one nuclear incident.
(3) The amounts referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall not
include any interest or costs awarded by the court in actions for
compensation for nuclear damage.

Financial security
60. (1) No licence to operate a nuclear installation or to import or
export nuclear material into or from Malaysia shall be issued under
this Act by the appropriate authority to an installation operator or any
other person unless the installation operator or other person secures
and maintains insurance or other financial security covering his
liability for nuclear damage under this Act.
(2) The Board shall prescribe the type and terms of the insurance
or other financial security which shall be secured and maintained by
the installation operator or any other person, and such insurance or
other financial security may include private insurance, private
contractual indemnity, self-insurance or a combination thereof or
other evidence of financial ability to pay compensation under this
Act.
(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no insurer or other
financial guarantor may suspend, cancel or vary the type and terms of
the insurance or other financial security provided under this section
without giving notice in writing of at least two months to the Board
of its intention so to do or, in so far as such insurance or other
financial security relates to the carriage of nuclear material, during
the period of the carriage in question.

Government indemnity
61. (1) The Government of Malaysia may, where it considers it
necessary so to do, indemnify the installation operator liable and
provide the necessary funds for the payment of claims for
compensation for nuclear damage which have been established
against the operator to the extent that the yield of insurance or other
financial security is inadequate to satisfy such claims:
 Atomic Energy Licensing 37

Provided that the indemnity so provided by the Government of

Malaysia, together with the yield of insurance or other financial
security, shall not in the aggregate exceed the maximum amount
established under section 59 for any one nuclear incident.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where it appears that claims

for compensation for nuclear damage caused by a nuclear incident
may exceed the limit of liability established under section 59, the
Board shall furnish a report to the Minister with its recommendations
for the appropriation of additional funds for the payment of claims for
such compensation and the Minister shall cause the report to be laid
forthwith before the Dewan Rakyat.

(3) Upon such report being laid before it, the Dewan Rakyat may
by resolution appropriate additional funds for such purpose if it
considers it necessary in the interests of the nation that the limit of
liability established under section 59 should be exceeded but not
otherwise.

Intervention in court proceedings

62. When, after the occurrence of a nuclear incident, the
Government of Malaysia intends to indemnify the installation
operator pursuant to section 61, the court adjudicating any claim for
compensation arising from the nuclear incident shall allow the
Government of Malaysia to intervene in the proceedings at any time
before final judgment.

Prescription of rights and actions

63. (1) Subject to subsection (2), rights to compensation under
this Act shall cease after twenty years from the date of the nuclear
incident.
(2) Actions for compensation under this Act shall be barred
unless brought within twenty years from the date on which the person
suffering nuclear damage had knowledge or should reasonably have
had knowledge of such damage:
Provided that—
(a) any person who claims to have suffered nuclear damage
and who has brought an action for compensation within
the period applicable pursuant to this subsection may
38 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

amend his claim to take into account any aggravation of

the damage, even after the expiry of that period; and
(b) final judgment has not been entered in the case.

Prescription with respect to nuclear material stolen, lost,

jettisoned or abandoned

64. (1) Where nuclear damage is caused by a nuclear incident

involving nuclear material which had at any time been stolen, lost,
jettisoned or abandoned, the period within which to bring actions for
compensation pursuant to section 63 shall be computed from the date
of that nuclear incident and not from the date such nuclear material
had been stolen, lost, jettisoned or abandoned.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt, the actions for compensation in
the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) shall lie against the
installation operator by virtue of section 45 but without prejudice,
however, to his right of recourse under section 47, and any person
against whom the installation operator has a right of recourse under
section 47 shall not be entitled to bring any claim for compensation
against the installation operator.

When claims exceed maximum limit

65. When it appears that the nuclear damage from a nuclear
incident may exceed the limit of liability established under section
59, and upon application by the Government of Malaysia where it
intends to act pursuant to section 61, the court having jurisdiction in
the matter shall issue such orders as may be necessary to assure the
equitable distribution of compensation, including orders apportioning
the payments to be made to claimants and orders permitting partial
payment to be made before final determination of the total claims.

Exclusions
66. Without prejudice to rights of compensation under any other
law, the Minister may, if he determines that the small extent of the
risks involved so warrants, exclude any prescribed small quantities of
any radioactive material, nuclear material or prescribed substance
from the application of this Part.
 Atomic Energy Licensing 39

PART X
GENERAL

Delegation of powers and duties

67. (1) The Board may from time to time, subject to any special
or general directions, delegate to any person or class of persons
(whether by name or office) such of its powers and duties under this
Act as it may think fit.
(2) Any delegation made under this section may at any time be
revoked or varied by the Board.

Regulations
68. (1) The Minister may, for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this Act, make regulations, including regulations—
(a) for controlling, supervising and licensing the production,
application and use of atomic energy; and
(b) for regulating the production, import, export, transport,
refining, possession, ownership, use, sale or disposal of or
other dealing in any radioactive material, nuclear material,
prescribed substance, irradiating apparatus or any other
thing that in the opinion of the Minister may be used for
the production, use or application of atomic energy.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1),
regulations may also be made for all or any of the following
purposes:
(a) making provision to secure that any radioactive product or
radioactive waste from any source whatsoever is
accumulated or disposed of safely;
(b) prescribing the method of treatment or disposal of any
conveyance, package or container that has been used to
carry, hold or store any radioactive material, nuclear
material, prescribed substance, irradiating apparatus or
radioactive waste;
(c) prescribing the purposes for which any radioactive
material, nuclear material, prescribed substance or
40 Laws of Malaysia ACT 304

irradiating apparatus may be used and providing for the

classification of licences issued under this Act;
(d) prohibiting or restricting the use of any specified
radioactive material, nuclear material or prescribed
substance, or of any specified radioactive material, nuclear
material or prescribed substance containing more than a
specified concentration of any radioactive chemical
element;
(e) prohibiting or restricting the use of any specified type of
irradiating apparatus;
(f) requiring compliance with standards relating to
measurement of ionizing radiation;
(g) regulating the issuance by registered medical practitioners
of prescriptions containing any prescribed substance;
(h) regulating the dispensing and compounding by registered
pharmacists of prescriptions containing any prescribed
substance;
(i) providing for the making of returns in respect of any
radioactive material, nuclear material, prescribed
substance or irradiating apparatus and of the types and
quantities of radioactive materials, nuclear materials,
prescribed substances or irradiating apparatuses held;
(j) providing for the keeping by purchasers of radioactive
materials, nuclear materials, prescribed substances or
irradiating apparatuses of records specifying the purposes
for which the radioactive materials, nuclear materials,
prescribed substances or irradiating apparatuses are used,
and for the inspection of these records, and for the making
of returns of entries in these records;
(k) providing for the keeping of records of all applications of
ionizing radiation or prescribed substances for diagnostic
or therapeutic purposes;
(l) providing for the procedure and prescribing the forms for
applications, licences, registers, notices and other
documents required for the purposes of this Act;
 Atomic Energy Licensing 41

(m) prescribing fees in respect of any licence under this Act or

for any matter in respect of which fees may be imposed
under this Act;
(n) providing for the regulation of appeals under Part VII; or
(o) prescribing anything which may be required for the
purposes of this Act.

Exemptions

69. (1) The Minister may by order in the Gazette, subject to such
conditions or restrictions as he may consider necessary or expedient
to impose, exempt any person or class of persons from any or all of
the provisions of this Act.

(2) Any order made under this section shall be laid before both
Houses of Parliament.

Repeal of Radioactive Substances Act 1968

70. The Radioactive Substances Act 1968 [Act 17 of 1968] is
repealed:
Provided that any permit issued under that Act shall remain valid
and be deemed to have been issued as a licence under this Act by the
appropriate authority, depending upon whether the activity licensed is
in respect of a medical purpose or a purpose other than a medical
purpose as determined by the Board, and shall have effect for the
period specified therein.

Operation of Act
71. This Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any
other law relating to dangerous goods in force in any part of
Malaysia.
42

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 304

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING ACT 1984

LIST OF AMENDMENTS

Amending law Short title In force from

−NIL−
 43

LAWS OF MALAYSIA

Act 304

ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING ACT 1984

LIST OF SECTIONS AMENDED

Section Amending authority In from force

−NIL−