(Extract)   More needs to be done to educate the public on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Law Hieng Ding said today.  He said Malaysia needed to keep up with the latest technological developments, and nuclear technology has a number of medical, industrial and agricultural uses.

"Nuclear technology is beseiged with public acceptance issues," Law said when opening RadTech Asia '99 at the Putra World Trade Centre.

"Even if the market is receptive, public opinion could make many shy away from using it.  Educating the public and exposing the positive virtues of the technology on a continuous basis is a possible strategy to overcome the stigma."

The three-day annual international conference and exhibition brings together scientists, researchers and members of industries to compare notes on the latest development of the uses of nuclear technology called radiation curing.

UV curing has a number of uses in the wood-based industries, in packing materials and labelling in electronics.

RadTech Asia, jointly organized by the Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) and the Malaysian Nuclear Society, is being held for the first time in Malaysia.