TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The delegates of nuclear regulatory bodies of the ASEAN members attended the 10th Annual Meeting of ASEANTOM at Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel in Yogyakarta on August 22-24, 2023.

The meeting discussed several critical issues regarding the implementation of technical cooperation on nuclear between ASEAN members such as drafting the work plan, transfer of knowledge and good practices regarding safety, nuclear security and safeguards between nuclear regulatory bodies and relevant parties in Southeast Asia.

"During the 10th ASEANTOM, Indonesia as the Chair proposed the Concept Note of ASEAN Model Legislation (AML) as Indonesian chairmanship deliverables in the 2023 ASEANTOM," said the head of Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) Sugeng Sumbarjo on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

AML is a legislation model to support ASEAN members in developing a more comprehensive, integrated, and effective national regulatory framework on nuclear safety in each country. Indonesia brought up a similar model in 2014 with the National Legislation Implementation Kit on Nuclear Security.

The active participation of Bapeten in ASEANTOM supports the duty and function of the agency to supervise nuclear energy utilization in Indonesia. Bapeten's participation ensures the safety, security, and safeguarding aspects of nuclear supervision for the workers, the public, and the environment.

In addition, the role as ASEANTOM chair will give Indonesia leverage at the regional level if Bapeten manages to create a concrete legislative heritage in its chairmanship period.

"Hopefully, the public could recognize ASEANTOM's role [in the nuclear field] so they could reap the indirect benefits of ASENTOM membership," said Sugeng.

Meanwhile, ASEANTOM membership is held by Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Phillippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Several ASEAN dialogue partners, external partners, and Timor Leste as observers also participated in the meeting.

The Indonesian delegation was led by Sugeng Sumbarjo and deputy delegate Zainal Arifin, the Permit and Inspection Deputy of Bapeten.

MUH. SYARIFULLAH

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