Suherdjoko, Kudus – Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Kudus regency, Central Java, on Tuesday to reject the central government's plan to build a nuclear power plant in nearby Jepara regency.

The protest by some 3,000 people was supported by Kudus regency administration officials, including Kudus regent Muhammad Tamzil, legislative council speaker Asrofi, military commander Lt. Col. Priyo Jatmiko and police chief Sr. Comr. Iswadi.

"I reject the plans to develop a nuclear-based power plant. People have rejected the plan. I'll send a letter on the Kudus people's rejection of the plan to the central government," Muhammad Tamzil said. He said the plan was made without agreement from residents. "That's why I support Kudus people's wishes," he said.

Protest coordinator Mochammad As'ad said the nuclear power plant could have disastrous consequences. "We want the government, especially President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to drop the plan to construct the Muria nuclear power plant," As'ad said.

An activist from the Indonesian Forum for the Environment, Arif Zayyn, said people were protesting against the plan for several reasons, such as the country's already abundant natural resources. "Moreover, the technology to be used in this nuclear power plant is a pressurized water reactor, old reactor technology whose safety is questionable," Arif said.

He said that a 1,000 megawatt-capacity nuclear power plant would need four million liters of water to cool it every minute, a demand that could threaten local marine life and the fishing industry.

"The dangerous thing is, if the (water) needed to cool it off is not enough, it might trigger the meltdown of the reactor, which might then cause a leak. Radiation from the 239 plutonium might spread to as far as Southeast Asia," he warned.

The central government is planning to construct the nuclear power plant in stages, to eventually produce 4,000 megawatts. The first phase of the power plant is expected to be completed in 2016 and produces 1,000 megawatts to supply Java, Bali and Madura.

Apart from the massive protests in the heart of Kudus city, a similar protest was also held outside the Kudus Legislative Council building.