Crowd nears 10,000, Lynas website defaced

It's a sunny morning in Kuantan where a growing number of people are gathering to oppose the construction of a rare earth refinery nearby, which they fear will pose radioactive risks.

The rally - dubbed Himpunan Hijau 2.0 (Green Gathering 2.0) - seeks to gather 20,000 people from all over the country at the Kuantan Municipal Council field. 

Pakatan Rakyat's top leaders have also pledged to attend the event, in protest of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp).

In a nod to the newly passed Peaceful Assembly Act 2011, the police have sanctioned the rally, albeit at the eleventh hour, and imposed 12 conditions. Rally organisers have agreed to the conditions.

The two-hour event is suppose to kick off at 10am. 

Live reports follows:

8.32am: Almost 1,000 people, mostly clad in the symbolic green, have gathered on MPK4 field and more are trickling in. 

Some activist from out of state are gathering at several nearby hotels. 

The mood is jovial at the entrance of the Megaview Hotel where Bersih 2.0 leaders are leading a crowd in singing Suara Rakyat.

National laureate A Samad Said, who is scheduled to recite a poem later, is also spotted in the crowd. 

8.50am: Himpunan Hijau steering committee chairperson Wong Tack told Malaysiakini that a group is gathering at MPK1 field. At 9am, the group will depart towards MPK4.

They are expected to be joined by another crowd that will march from the Kuantan market.

8.55am: The Megaview Hotel crowd being led by Bersih 2.0 leaders are marching towards MPK4 field.

They are mostly clad in Himpunan Hijau 2.0 t-shirts or green coloured garbs to symbolise their environmental cause.

Some of them are holding placards and banners to protest against the Lynas plant. Yesterday, the police said they would not bar them from doing so. 

8.58am: Festivities is already underway at the MPK4 field with activists from Jingga 13, a PKR-linked NGO, is performing a sketh mocking Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob. 

"As menteri besar how much will you offer me for your factory?," said one acter.

Another man, dressed to look like an engineer with the words "Lynas" across his back responded: "RM700million!"

"Wow! I accept! I'm going to London," replied the 'menteri besar'. 

9.00am: The crowd is swelling at MPK4, estimated at 1,500 with the latest group of balloon-wielding protestors. 

Police presence appears moderate, numbering at about 100, backed by two sniffer dogs. A police helicopter was seen hovering near the field. 

9.10am: While it is bright and sunny at Kuantan, it is a wet and soggy experience for some 30 activists who are holding a solidarity rally under the rain in Jalan Song, KUCHING.

This is one of several solidarity rallies that are simultaneously being held in several major towns across the country. 

9.13am: About 1,000 people are marching from the Kuantan wet market towards MPK4 field. This is the biggest march thus far.

This crowd is proceeding towards the field quietly but they are met by a cacophony of horn blaring and cheers by passing vehicles. 

9.15am: The crowd at the MPK4 has easily grown beyond 2,000 people. It is a festive atmosphere with groups chanting slogans sporadically while others stage various performances. 

9.20am: "Stop Lynas" and "Hancur (Destroy) Lynas" are popular slogans.

9.30am: Stop Lynas Coalition chairperson Andansura Rabu has arrived at MPK4, back by some 500 Badan Bertindak Anti Rare Earth Refinery (Badar) and PAS activists. With him is PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub.

This group is chanting: "We want Lynas to close down, this is to guarantee our health"

9.40am: The crowd size is now estimated at 5,000 as more groups march in. 

The scorching heat is causing many to sweat profusely. 

9.50am: At a solidarity gathering in Kuala Lumpur, some 200 people are gathered at Maju Junction dressed in green. 

10.00am: Prayers has just ended. Social activist Hishammuddin Rais now translating the Muslim prayer into English.

"Please oh God, Allah please help us fight against the destruction of our planet, destroy the corrupt, in the name of God we hope the event today will be a success."

The event is now officially underway.

Police's crowd figures via Twitter: 4,000 - 5,000 as of 9.45am.

10.05am: Over at KUALA LUMPUR, Ayam Fared recites 'Gebeng yang luka', a poem by A Samad Said for the crowd.

10.08am: Hishammuddin is emceeing the event and have urged the crowd to be seated. He estimates the crowd to be around 10,000 people. 

He leads the crowd in singingSuara Rakyat, before a Chinese drums performance.

10.10am: Poor sound system makes the stage hard to follow for most people. Volunteers are criss-crossing the field to advise participants to sit down.

10:12am: National laureate A Samad Said takes the stage and adds a bit of interactivity in his poem recital.

"Should we gather money now to burden our future generations?"

To this, the crowd responded with an emphatic "No!"

"Then what should we do?" to which the crowd responded: "Hancur (destroy) Lynas".

He then urged the public to fight in the struggle against Lynas in order to safeguard the environment for their grand children.

10.15pm: NGO and Pakatan Rakyat leaders are being brought on stage. Among them is Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, who has been Pakatan's most ardent campaigner against Lynas.

By most accounts, the crowd at MPK4 is nearing 10,000. 

10.17am: Other environmental groups are also using Himpunan Hijau 2.0 as a platform.

A group of activist from Bukit Koman, Raub have taken the stage to tell the crowd of their struggle against gold mining activities which uses highly poisonous cyanide.

They hope that the authorities will realise the life is more important that profit.

“We don't just want 1Malaysia, we also want a 1Healthy Malaysia,” said a representative, which drew rapturous applause from the crowd.

10.20am: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang arrives and is greeted by the crowd. 

10.30am: A check on Lynas Corporation's website reveals that it has been defaced by hackers. 

The hacker who calls itself HackerXL has replaced the website with another which reads "Stop Lynas, Save Malaysia. Do not hurt my country". 

A fluttering Malaysian flag is seen in the background.

10.40am: Other environmental groups are addressing the audience, including an anti-incinerator group from Cameron Highlands, Pahang and a group opposing the construction of high tension electrical pylons in Kampung Baru Rawang, Selangor.

10.45am: Bad audio system means that most protestors can't hear speeches. Many make do by posing for pictures and having fun on their own. 

10.50am: Anwar Ibrahim arrives and is given an ovation by the crowd.

He shows up with a black jacket which hides a Himpunan Hijau 2.0 t-shirt.

In KUALA LUMPUR, the crowd at the solidarity rally outside Maju Junction has swelled to an estimated 500 people. 

10.55am: The crowd is tickled by the appearance of a BN umbrella among them. The owner of the umbrella is believed to be a local MCA member.

[More to follow]