Minister slammed for Lynas TOL replies

Anti-Lynas movement Himpunan Hijau has questioned the contradicting statements made over two days by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Ewon Ebin on compliance with conditions in the temporary operating licence (TOL) for the Lynas rare earths refinery.

In a statement issued yesterday, Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack pointed out that Ebin (left) told Parliament on June 27 that Lynas could continue to operate because its temporary radioactive toxic waste storage facility within the plant was sufficient to comply with the TOL conditions.

However, when answering a question posed in Parliament by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh yesterday, Ebin said he hasreceived the Lynas proposal on its permanent waste disposal plan right on the dot of its July 2 deadline.

"For the past few days, we have expressed serious concern and condemned Lynas for not complying with the conditions of their TOL. Why didn't Ebin respond at that time?

"And now, today (July 4), which is already two days after the July 2 deadline, he responded, and that only when he was queried in Parliament.

"Not only that, he came out with a different answer to that of his statement made merely a couple of days ago, which I have no doubt was made with the sole intention to protect Lynas," Wong (right) said.

He questioned Ebin's reason of not immediately disclosing to the public that the government has received the documents from Lynas.

"Still new on the job, but he's already learning the dirty doings of working behind closed doors. This is a clear display of partnership between politics and dirty businesses," Wong added, mocking the first-term minister who is just one month into his new job.

Himpunan Hijau demanded that Ebin immediately discloses all documents that he has received from Lynas.

"The people are not going to tolerate any more tricks and lies from Lynas and this government. We want to know how and where Lynas is going to bury the radioactive toxic wastes.

"No community across this nation will allow Lynas to bury its massive radioactive toxic wastes in their backyard. The only thing in the minds of Malaysians right now is how to bury Lynas, once and for all!" Wong added.