Najib vows people’s safety first over Lynas plant

PEKAN, April 23 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged today public safety and well-being are the main priority a day after his administration agreed to set up an international panel to review Lynas Corp’s rare earth project.

The RM700 million project in Kuantan has drawn opposition from local residents, politicians and environmentalists who are fearful of exposure to radioactive waste from the Australian miner’s rare earth refinery.

“We have decided, firstly, that we will not compromise in terms of public safety and well-being, we give top priority to public security and health,” the prime minister told reporters here.

Najib (picture) said the panel would be given one month to undertake a study on the matter before preparing the report, according to Bernama Online.

“The project must not jeopardise public security and health, and in line with this principle, we will set up a panel of experts made up of those who are extremely skilled in areas pertaining to the Lynas project to study all aspects within the next one month.

“They will come up with a report, and based on this report the government will make a final decision,” Najib said.

The prime minister hoped everyone would remain calm and let the panel carry out a detailed study, in an apparent reference to several campaigns and forums organised by groups and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh.

“Let the panel of experts make its detailed study and come up with recommendations to the government.

“What should be done is based on the main principles, that public health and security must not be compromised. We will also not allow (the plant) to carry out pre-operations until a final decision is made,” he said.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed announced yesterday the independent panel would be set up as soon as possible to carry out a study on the health and security aspects of the plant.

Mustapa had said that no pre-operations licence would be issued to Lynas by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).

The state government together with the AELB have carried out several briefings on the plant in the Gebeng industrial area but state officials admit that they have not seen any positive feedback.