The public hearing with the executive committee on Lynas’ operations last Sunday was a mere showcase of regulators' salesmanship, according to Bentong MP Wong Tack.
As such, Wong called on the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry to hold a "true" public hearing session, which would allow members of the public to air their views on the company's rare earth refinery operations in the Gebeng Industrial Zone.
“I call upon the minister (Yeo Bee Yin) to look at holding a public hearing one more time. Let NGOs and experts question Lynas and the authorities who are supposed to regulate them.
“I would like to see another dialogue, which is more transparent and meaningful,” he told Malaysiakini in Parliament yesterday.
Wong, who also chairs Himpunan Hijau, said that he would express his disappointment with Sunday's public hearing to the energy minister today, particularly over his claim of a lack of transparency.
“We want to ask why there has been no transparency over the last few years, about information we cannot access regarding the approval process, and about the operating process in the Lynas plant.
“This hearing also did not give the people an opportunity to engage in dialogue and openly question the approving authorities. Until today, we still have no free access to their information,” he added.
During the hearing in Kuantan, Lynas said that it was prepared to abide by all regulationsto ensure that their operations are safe and do not pose a public health risk.
Ismail Bahari (right in photo), Lynas' radiation safety division manager, insisted that the company has always abided by the licensing conditions imposed by authorities, and is staffed by experts who monitor the refinery's operations.
“Lynas is monitored and regulated by government agencies.
“All our experts ensure that Lynas always abides by its licensing conditions. To date, Lynas has fulfilled the licensing conditions imposed,” he said.
Pahang Environment Department (DOE) director Rosli Zul also told the hearing that Lynas had adhered to all rules imposed by authorities since it began operations.
Rosli added that the company followed regulations regarding the disposal of scheduled and industrial waste, air quality, and quality monitoring proposed in its environmental impact assessment report.
Wong took issue with the DOE's remarks, however, saying that the people are being asked to take the company's word with regard to its compliance with regulations.
“We want to see the documents, how could Lynas come in (to the country)? And how was it approved? We want to see all these documents,” he told.
The Bentong lawmaker added that the extension of the Lynas’s waste storage permit is unacceptable.
He also reminded the Pakatan Harapan government that the people's would feel betrayed if no action is taken towards Lynas. - Mkini
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