BEIJING (April 25): In an effort to switch to renewable energy (RE), the government has proposed to build wind turbines in the sea at the East Coast, according to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"For wind power, there has been some suggestions to generate them in the East Coast as we get strong winds there," said the prime minister at a dialogue session with the private sector here arranged by the ministry of international trade and industry (MITI) today.

He, however, noted that the proposal is still at development stage and has yet to be approved.

"We certainly would like to switch to RE instead of conventional power," said Dr Mahathir.

"With regard to energy, of course we are looking at ways and means to lower generating power with crude oil.

"We are also using gas, solar and hydropower. We will not use nuclear energy. Instead, we are looking at how to make use of solar power in order to supplement the generation of power in the country," the prime minister said, adding that in Sarawak, Malaysia has made use of the rivers there for hydropower generation.

Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir extended his welcome to Chinese investors to visit the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) in Kedah, saying many multinational companies that are involved in solar panels and identification card chips have invested there.

He also noted that the local government is expanding the KHTP. Officially opened in 1996, the KHTP is the first hi-technology park development in Malaysia.

"We are also building new industrial parks further north in Kedah, bordering Thailand, as well as planning to build a new international cargo airport in Kedah in the next three to four years. We are also considering developing a new independent power plant for the sole purpose of exporting power to Southern Thailand," he added.