Police to probe threat to torch Lynas plant

KUANTAN, Feb 6 — The police will investigate a threat made by Himpunan Hijau president Wong Tack to burn down the Lynas rare-earth refinery in Gebeng here should the plant still be running after the 13th general election. 

Pahang police chief Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani said the threat would be investigated under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation. 

“We will not compromise with any party who tries to create chaos and we give a stern warning that action will be taken against those involved,” he told reporters after launching the state-level “Ops Selamat II” in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festival here today. 

He said Wong (picture) would be called up to give his statement for allegedly making the threat at a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) event in Kuantan recently. 

Wong was also reported to have threatened to call for street demonstrations to topple the new government if the demand to shut down the Lynas plant was not met. 

“We have laws in the country, so do not act recklessly without thinking. This threat seems to be an intimidation and it is an offence,” said Sharifuddin.

Yesterday, MCA Bentong division chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun challenged the opposition and its allies to state their stand over Wong’s threat, asserting that they should be responsible for it. 

He said the opposition had been inflaming its supporters by calling them to take to the streets to topple the government. 

“This time around, one of their supporters had gone too far by fanning hate against the government and Lynas without thinking of the consequences to the people,” he added. — Bernama