Muhyiddin Joins World Leaders In International Cooperation On Nuclear Security

SEOUL: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin joined 52 other world leaders in discussions to enhance nuclear security on the second and final day of the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit here, today.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arrives for the opening plenary session of the Nuclear Security Summit at the Coex Center, in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 27, 2012. AP/ Susan Walsh

Muhyiddin is scheduled to speak at the Plenary Session two, after the leaders' working luncheon in the summit, which among others is participated by United States President Barack Obama.

The plenary two would be preceded by plenary session one in the morning while leaders are expected to deliberate the issue of nuclear security-safety interface during their luncheon.

On both sessions, held at the venue of the summit, the Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) here, Muhyiddin and other leaders will discuss national measures and international cooperation to enhance nuclear security, including future commitments.

Later in the evening, Muhyiddin will proceed to a hotel here to attend a gala dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and wife Kim Yoon-ok, thus signalling the end of the summit.

Muhyiddin and his wife Noorainee Abdul Rahman are scheduled to depart to Kuala Lumpur the same night.

Among the key agenda of the summit include nuclear threat response, illicit nuclear trafficking prevention and nuclear safety in the context of nuclear security.

The vision and implementation measures of the 2012 summit is to be embodied in the Seoul Communique, the final document of the summit.

The communique is a political statement regarding efforts to continue strengthening the security of the nuclear material and technology.

Carrying the theme "Beyond Security, Towards Peace", the summit is a follow up to the first one, attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and leaders from 46 other countries in Washington, two years ago.

Nuclear security refers to the prevention and detection of and response to, theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transfer or other malicious acts involving nuclear material, other radioactive substances or their associated facilities.

Overall, the Seoul summit would contribute to advancing the international nuclear security architecture from the stage of political declaration to practical steps toward concrete implementation. 

By BERNAMA