Suherdjoko, Semarang – The government's plan to press ahead with construction of the country's first nuclear power plant in 2010 was met angrily by Jepara residents Wednesday.

"I reject the plan to build a nuclear power plant in our area. If there's a leak, we will be directly impacted. We should fight the plan together," said Sudarsono, of Damarwulan village, Keling district, Jepara regency.

"I want to know who will be responsible, morally and legally, for our fate if there is a leak."

The middle-aged man passionately shared his opinion during a talk show on the nuclear power plant in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday.

The government will press ahead with its plan to commence construction of the plant, to be built near Mt. Muria in Central Java, even though decisions are yet to be finalized on many aspects such as technological specifications and safety standards.

The government is currently seeking information on safety technology from Japan, the Untied States and Germany.

Ana Zomhara of the Jepara People's Inter-Forum also voiced her protest against the plant on the talk show. "I want to know why Jepara has been selected as the place to build this nuclear power plant," she asked.

Eni, a resident of nearby Kudus regency, some 40 km from Jepara, also raised concerns. "If there is an accident, I will be affected."

Several experts featured on the talk show, including nuclear physicist Iwan Kurniawan, head of the National Nuclear Energy Agency's cooperation and legal office Ferhat Azis and environment expert Sudharto from Diponegoro University in Semarang.

Iwan, who worked at the National Atomic Energy Agency until 1991, said the country is rich in energy resources. "Many have predicted the country will face an energy crisis. This crisis could be averted if we stop selling our resources," he said.

He said a nuclear power plant is not necessary as there are alternative sources of energy. "We have to consider the danger of nuclear reactors leaking. It is extremely harmful to humans and the environment. So it is better to stop any plans to build a nuclear power plant," he said.

Environmental expert Budi Widianarko said the nuclear power plant would produce radioactive waste. "Safety factors should be taken into account by the decision-makers before opting to build the plant. It is true that accidents or leaks are unlikely, but however small the possibility is, it should be considered," he said.

Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency, Natio Lasman, said earlier the government was determined to stick to the original schedule, which envisages the project being put to tender in 2008, with construction starting in 2010 and the plant commencing operations in 2017.

According to its blueprint for the development of nuclear energy, the government is targeting to develop a nuclear plant with an initial capacity of 4,000 megawatts, representing about 2 percent of the national energy demand.