The federal government has reiterated its position that Australia's Lynas Corporation must export wastes generated by its rare earths refinery in Gebeng to fulfil its temporary operating licence (TOL) conditions.
Four cabinet ministers, whose portfolios are directly related to the project, said in a joint press statement today that if this condition was not fulfilled, the TOL could be suspended or revoked.
“The TOL granted to Lynas requires, as a specific condition, that the company removes all the residues generated by the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) out of Malaysia.
“This includes all products made from the residues. The cabinet has also endorsed this condition,” reads the statement.
The statement was issued by International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Science and Technology Minister Maximus Johnity Ongkili, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Douglas Unggah Embas and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai.
In the opening paragraph, the four ministers say that they were responding to “recent inaccurate media reports regarding the removal of the residues generated by Lamp”.
Although no specific news report was referred to, it was likely that they were referring to news reports on statements made by Lynas Malaysia managing director Mashal Ahmad.
Four cabinet ministers, whose portfolios are directly related to the project, said in a joint press statement today that if this condition was not fulfilled, the TOL could be suspended or revoked.
“The TOL granted to Lynas requires, as a specific condition, that the company removes all the residues generated by the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) out of Malaysia. “This includes all products made from the residues. The cabinet has also endorsed this condition,” reads the statement.
The statement was issued by International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Science and Technology Minister Maximus Johnity Ongkili, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Douglas Unggah Embas and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai.
In the opening paragraph, the four ministers say that they were responding to “recent inaccurate media reports regarding the removal of the residues generated by Lamp”.
Although no specific news report was referred to, it was likely that they were referring to news reports on statements made by Lynas Malaysia managing director Mashal Ahmad.
'No compromise on safety'
Mashal had told Guang Ming Daily that Lynas' wastes could not be exported because of international laws banning shipments of hazardous materials.
Following this, critics such as DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have pointed out that Mashal's statement contradicted an assurance given by the four ministers in a joint press release on Feb 22.
Paragraph 3 of that release states: "Prior to the issuance of the Temporary Operating Licence (TOL), Lynas shall submit a letter of undertaking that it will accept a return of any residue generated by its factory in Gebeng to its original source."
Lim argued that since Lynas has snubbed the directive from the four ministers, they should rightfully resign.
Following this, critics such as DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have pointed out that Mashal's statement contradicted an assurance given by the four ministers in a joint press release on Feb 22.
Paragraph 3 of that release states: "Prior to the issuance of the Temporary Operating Licence (TOL), Lynas shall submit a letter of undertaking that it will accept a return of any residue generated by its factory in Gebeng to its original source."
Lim argued that since Lynas has snubbed the directive from the four ministers, they should rightfully resign.
In today's statement, the four minister gave their assurance that the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) could suspend and revoke the TOL to compel Lynas to cease operations immediately, if the TOL conditions were breached.
“The obligation imposed on Lynas in this matter is very clear. The government will not compromise on the health and safety of therakyat and the environment in dealing with the issue of Lynas. ”
“The obligation imposed on Lynas in this matter is very clear. The government will not compromise on the health and safety of therakyat and the environment in dealing with the issue of Lynas. ”
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