Enhancing Sustainability in Radioactive Waste Disposal Program - A Malaysian Case Study

The radioactive waste management strategies in Malaysia outlined several key milestones towards strengthened, sustainable, safe and secure management of radioactive waste. Major initiatives were implemented in the year 2018 until 2020 to improve the overall operational safety of the current infrastructure. Acknowledging the safety and security risks of prolonged disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) storage, Malaysia took an initiative to plan for the disposal of DSRS using the borehole disposal technology. Preliminary works have begun back in 2013, further propelled by the strong technical support from the IAEA, leading to the award of the construction license in 2019. The actual construction of the Borehole Disposal Facility (BDF) is pending until contractual matters are completed. When the BDF is eventually closed, about 85% of the current DSRS inventory will be permanently disposed of here.While the BDF focuses on the disposal of DSRS in a facility analogous to an intermediate depth geological repository, Malaysia also recognized the need to have a national low-level waste repository to sustainably dispose low and intermediate level radioactive waste, accumulated from research institutions, medical sector and waste projected from the decommissioning of the research reactor and laboratory facilities. In 2011, a nationwide site screening campaign was conducted based on the siting criteria set out then. In 2013, progress on the national repository halted to solely focus on the BDF project. Now, the national repository project is relived with a more robust project structure, clearer direction and constructive milestones. Implementation of the disposal program in Malaysia is steered by graded approach; according to the type and radioactivity of the waste. The first radioactive waste disposal facility in Malaysia was a privately funded near surface repository for the disposition of thorium waste. Post-closure responsibilities however were given to government bodies. Another private-funded disposal facility is also in the pipeline, involving disposal of very low level NORM waste. Political, economic and social standing imposed strong influences towards a successful implementation of any disposal project. The upcoming national repository project will have much to learn from the previous experiences by examining key elements as well as issues that need to be thoroughly deliberated and addressed. Being accepted as one of the ministry's initiatives for year 2021, the direct involvement of the ministry is hoped to bring in more positive outcomes to the project. (author)