Nuclear science encyclopedia to be published in Bahasa Malaysia

The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia), in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa Pustaka (DBP), is publishing a Bahasa Malaysia encyclopedia on science and nuclear technology.

Its senior director (commercialisation and technology planning programme), Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamed Hashim said so far 95 per cent of work on the encyclopedia have been completed.

"The encyclopedia is expected to be ready by the end of this year. A series of workshops and discussions were organised in producing this encyclopedia which has the strong backing of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI).

"The ministry also provided the fund for us to complete the task," he told reporters after opening the Scientific Writing and Publishing Seminar at Impiana Hotel here Wednesday.

Dr Zulkifli said 99 Nuclear Malaysia research officers were involved in the production of the 250-page encyclopedia.

Meanwhile, Nuclear Malaysia director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Lebai Juri said the people should give more emphasis on science, in line with the nation's aim to produce a literate society, for the country to achieve a developed nation status by 2020.

He said those involved in research should disseminate information on their work through their writings.

Although the interest in reading scientific material among the public was still considered low, it had not discouraged writers in continuing to produce more interesting books to enhance knowledge, he said in his speech at the opening of the seminar.

Dr Muhammad said the three-day seminar, held to upgrade professionalism in scientific publications, was also aimed at promoting the use of Bahasa Malaysia in scientific publications.

The text of Dr Muhammad's speech was read by Dr Zulkifli.

The seminar which began Tuesday is organised by Malaysian Nuclear, DBP, Malaysian Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) and Karangkraf Media Group with the support of the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), PTS Publications & Distributors Sdn Bhd and several local universities.