WARNING FOR BN: Nearly 20,000 at anti-Lynas protest, organizers call on Najib to meet up

More than 10,000 protesters today gathered in front Dataran Merdeka to pressure the government to stop the controversial Lynas rare earth plant.

The two-hour long protest, which began at 4pm, also marked the end of the 13-day walk from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur by the Green March, led by Himpunan Hijau chairman Wong Tat.

During the rally, green-clad protesters poured into the streets around Dataran, especially Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Police presence was light, where only about 100 general duty police barricaded the perimeter of the square itself, and there was no light strike force unit (LSF) nor federal reserve units (FRU) in sight.

In addressing the crowd, Wong said that they will continue to protest against the Lynas plant to safeguard the future of their children.

The Lynas rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Kuantan, had been under heavy fire from environmentalist groups over concerns of radioactive waste.

The first batch of 100 containers of rare earth ore from Mount Weld, Australia, had arrived in Kuantan under heavy police escort early Thursday morning.

The peaceful gathering ended around 6pm when a light drizzle started up.

Stay on

However, Wong and around 50 protesters, at press time, have decided to stay outside the perimeter as a show of objection against the Lynas plant.

They intend to stay at Dataran until 10am tomorrow and expressed hope that the Prime Minister will come to meet them.

When met later, Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Zulkarnain Ahmad said the organisers will be investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) for failing to notify the authorities of their intention to gather at the iconic square.

"Under Section 9(1) of the PAA, organisers must provide the Dang Wangi district police station with at least 10 days advance notice before holding their gathering," said Zainuddin.

"Additionally, the Kuala Lumpur Municipal City Council (DBKL) also confirmed they did not receive any application from the organisers to camp at Dataran Merdeka," he said.

Asked whether any actions would be taken against the protesters, Zainuddin merely said: "We will be monitoring the situation."

He also refused to disclose the number of police personnel on duty at Dataran Merdeka and its surrounding areas.

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner James Nagayam, who had acted as an intermediary between police and protesters, said the police and DBKL have allowed them to stay outside the barricades so long as they do not put up tents.

thesundaily