Establishment of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board
(1) There is established for the purposes of this Act a body to be known as the Atomic Energy Licensing Board whose members shall be appointed by the Minister.
(2) The Board shall consist of a Chairman and four other members, all of whom shall have scientific or technical qualifications relevant to atomic energy or other disciplines connected therewith. Among the members there shall be a representative each from the Ministry responsible for health and the Ministry responsible for matters under this Act.
(3) A member of the Board shall, unless he sooner resigns or vacates his office or his appointment is sooner revoked, hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) The appointment of any member of the Board may be revoked at any time by the Minister without assigning any reason therefor.
(5) A member of the Board may by letter under his hand addressed to the Minister resign his office and such resignation shall become effective upon its acceptance by the Minister.
(6) The members of the Board may be paid such allowances and other expenses in connection with the work of the Board as the Minister may from time to time determine with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance.
Chairman of the Board
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Chairman of the Board shall preside over all its meetings.
(2) The Chairman shall not vote on any matter before the Board except as provided under subsection 6(3).
(3) The Minister may appoint any member of the Board to act as temporary Chairman during any period when—
(a) the Chairman is unable for any reason to perform his duties and functions or exercise his powers under this Act; or
(b) the office of Chairman is vacant;
and any member so appointed to act as temporary Chairman may accordingly perform the duties and functions and exercise the powers of the Chairman during such period.
Executive secretary to the Board
The head of the department in the Ministry responsible for matters under this Act shall be the executive secretary to the Board.
Meetings of the Board
(1) The Board shall meet at least three times a year at such times and at such places as the Chairman may appoint.
(2) Four members, including the Chairman, shall constitute the quorum of the Board.
(3) In the event of an equal division of votes on any matter before the Board, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
Rules for regulating meetings and proceedings
Subject to this Act, the Board may make rules for regulating its meetings and proceedings, and those of committees appointed under section 9.
Functions of the Board
The Board shall, in addition to any other functions assigned to it under this Act, have the following functions:
(a) to advise the Minister and the Government of Malaysia on matters relating to this Act and developments pertaining thereto with particular reference to the implications of such developments for Malaysia;
(b) to exercise control and supervision over the production, application and use of atomic energy and matters incidental thereto;
(c) to establish, maintain and develop scientific and technical co-operation with such other bodies, institutions or organizations in relation to nuclear matters or atomic energy as the Board thinks fit for the purposes of this Act;
(d) where so directed by the Government of Malaysia, to perform or provide for the performance of the obligations arising from agreements, conventions or treaties relating to nuclear matters or atomic energy to which Malaysia is a party where such agreements, conventions or treaties relate to the purposes of this Act; and
(e) to do such other things arising out of or consequential to the functions of the Board under this Act which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, whether or not directed by the Minister.
Committees of the Board
(1) The Board may from time to time appoint such committees as it considers necessary or expedient to assist it in the performance of its functions under this Act.
(2) Subject to this Act and any rules made under section 7, such committees may regulate their own procedure.
(3) The members of such committees may be paid such allowances and other expenses in connection with the work of the committees as the Minister may from time to time determine with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance.
Power to charge, receive and recover fees
(1) The Board shall have the power to charge and receive fees and, through the Government of Malaysia, recover fees for any services rendered by the Board.
(2) The power under subsection (1) shall be without prejudice to the power of the Minister under paragraph 68(2)(m).
Power of the Minister to issue directions
The Minister may from time to time give the Board directions not inconsistent with this Act as to the policy to be followed in the performance of the functions and the exercise of the powers of the Board and the Board shall give effect to such directions.
Source: Laws of Malaysia, Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia (lom.agc.gov.my). Not a copy of the Gazette printed by the Government Printer (Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967, s 61).
