Onus is on gov't to prove Lynas is safe, says activists

Instead of asking the opposition groups to show scientific evidence that the controversial Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) in Kuantan, is harmful, the onus actually falls on the government to prove it is safe, said an anti-Lynas group.

"It is for the government to prove it is safe, and not for the people to prove it is unsafe," stressed Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) chief Tan Bun Teet (centre in photo) at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He was responding to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's interview with Mandarin radio station 988 in which he said that the government will not allow the Australian rare earths plant to operate if scientific evidence proves that it is harmful.

Tan said SMSL had in fact submitted scientific evidence to various government agencies, including the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), showing that the rare earths plant is a threat to people's health and the environment.

"However, AELB has not been responsive so far."

He added that the evidence was also sent to MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, who sits in the powerful National Economic Council, after they met in Kuantan last year.

"Chua insisted that we should base our conclusion on scientific findings... but until today, he has not replied."

SMSL will attend PSC hearing

On the formation of the parliamentary select committee (PSC), Tan said SMSL will engage with the committee despite another anti-Lynas group, the Himpunan Hijau Steering Committee, and opposition parties are boycotting it.

"Although we are disappointed with past incidents (on government's dealings with Lynas), we as a civil body which brings up the voice of the rakyat, and will definitely attend the (PSC) hearing," he said.

He also hoped the prime minister will be sincere on the matter and that the government will listen to the people.

"If it is thoroughly safe, we will accept (the plant)," he added.

Earlier, SMSL together with 45 civil society organisations issued an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to immediately suspend the temporary operation licence issued to Lynas and to stop any shipment of rare earth ore into Malaysia.

"The plant is located in a densely populated area, unlike most industrial estates. The closest housing estate is a mere 2km from the plant, and within a 30km inland radius, there are some 700,000 people.

"Yet approval and an operating licence have been given without due consideration of the full extent of its impact, which will only be uncovered through a detailed environmental impact assessment," added Tan.

Radioactive waste must be sent back

The letter to the PM also stresses that Lynas would not be allowed to build a plant "similar to Lamp with its associated waste management plan anywhere in Australia".

"Currently, several other rare earths proposals are being considered in Australia. All of them are committed to adopting a zero-waste water discharge policy and having their radioactive waste returned to the mine site for proper disposal.

"Clearly, Lynas has not been transparent in claiming that its Lamp project is of international standard."

Other anti-Lynas groups which endorsed the open letter include Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat, Suaram, Era Consumer, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, All Women's Action Society, Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association and Tenaganita.