Indonesia's largest Muslim group Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has issued a verdict against the country's first nuclear power plant to be built in the Central Java town of Jepara, local media reported on Monday.
The NU scholars, mostly from Jepara and the neighboring areas, declared the power plant project to be "haram" or forbidden under Islam, as its potential dangers would very much outweigh benefits, reported English daily The Jakarta Post.
Kholilurohman, the spokesman for the NU ulemas and scholars who gathered in Jepara over the weekend, said the decision was taken after considering all the arguments from those who are in favor of or against the planned nuclear power plant.
"From our side, we basically question who is responsible for the safety of the people in the vicinity given the possible adverse consequences of the Muria nuclear plant," he said.
The government plans to put out the nuclear project to tender next year. construction is then expected to begin in 2010 so that it will come on stream in 2016.
