The Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) group has obtained an interim stay against Lynas Advanced Materials Plant’s (Lamp) temporary operating licence (TOL) for 10 days from the Kuantan High Court today.
High Court judge Mariana Yahya granted the interim stay to three Kuantan citizens, comprising of chairperson Tan Bun Teet and two other SMSL members, until Oct 4 so as to hear Lynas’ application to intervene in the two judicial review cases against the TOL.
Counsel for the trio, Gene Anand Vendargon, said that they were seeking an application for stay against the TOL initially, but Lynas, represented by Sunil Abraham, at the same time asked for adjournment of this application to seek intervention in the two judicial reviews.
He also noted that senior federal council Noor Azzah Abdul Aziz, representing the government, had also ask for an adjournment of the application as she needed time to reply to the affidavit filed by the plaintiff.
“We said if they are asking for an adjournment, then we request for an interim stay... And the judge has agreed to that,” he toldMalaysiakini when contacted, adding that the application for intervention and a stay will be heard on Oct 4.
High Court judge Mariana Yahya granted the interim stay to three Kuantan citizens, comprising of chairperson Tan Bun Teet and two other SMSL members, until Oct 4 so as to hear Lynas’ application to intervene in the two judicial review cases against the TOL.Counsel for the trio, Gene Anand Vendargon, said that they were seeking an application for stay against the TOL initially, but Lynas, represented by Sunil Abraham, at the same time asked for adjournment of this application to seek intervention in the two judicial reviews.
He also noted that senior federal council Noor Azzah Abdul Aziz, representing the government, had also ask for an adjournment of the application as she needed time to reply to the affidavit filed by the plaintiff.“We said if they are asking for an adjournment, then we request for an interim stay... And the judge has agreed to that,” he toldMalaysiakini when contacted, adding that the application for intervention and a stay will be heard on Oct 4.
Lynas wants in
The group had earlier obtained leave for two judicial review applications from the same judge. One is to challenge the decision of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to grant the licence to the rare earth plant in Gebeng.
The second application is to challenge the decision by the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili to dismiss the appeal by three Kuantan citizens over the issuance of the licence.
The group had earlier obtained leave for two judicial review applications from the same judge. One is to challenge the decision of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to grant the licence to the rare earth plant in Gebeng.
The second application is to challenge the decision by the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili to dismiss the appeal by three Kuantan citizens over the issuance of the licence.
Vendargon explained that the reason Lynas wants to “get into the picture”, to be named as one of the defendants, is to obtain the right to be heard in front of the judge.
He said that the stay application is tied with the two judicial review cases as the applicants want the stay to remain until the judicial reviews are disposed of.
“Right now, only the Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) can oppose the (stay) application. Once Lynas gets in, they can also oppose our stay application,” he added.
He said that the stay application is tied with the two judicial review cases as the applicants want the stay to remain until the judicial reviews are disposed of.
“Right now, only the Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) can oppose the (stay) application. Once Lynas gets in, they can also oppose our stay application,” he added.
Lynas: Won't affect schedule
Meanwhile, Lynas does not expect the suspension to affect its operations.
"That interim order is not anticipated to impact on Lynas’ planned schedule, because Lynas has planned for first feed to kiln at the Kuantan plant after Oct 4," said the company in a statement late this evening.
The company also said that it, alongside the federal government, intend to "strongly assert" its right to operate in accordance with the TOL during the court proceeding.
Lynas noted SMSL have on several occassions failed to obtain an injunction.
"Lynas believes, and intends to argue, that the basis for the other courts declining to grant such an injunction remains valid," read the statement.
"That interim order is not anticipated to impact on Lynas’ planned schedule, because Lynas has planned for first feed to kiln at the Kuantan plant after Oct 4," said the company in a statement late this evening.
The company also said that it, alongside the federal government, intend to "strongly assert" its right to operate in accordance with the TOL during the court proceeding.
Lynas noted SMSL have on several occassions failed to obtain an injunction.
"Lynas believes, and intends to argue, that the basis for the other courts declining to grant such an injunction remains valid," read the statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.