Lynas in the dark over proposed changes to law governing its activities

Lynas Malaysia maintains that its operations are low-risk and in line with all applicable laws. (AFP pic)

PETALING JAYA: Lynas Malaysia says it is unaware of possible amendments to the law governing its operations, following a discussion of the matter in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Speaking to FMT, Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze said the company had not been provided with any information on potential changes to the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (AELA).

The matter was brought up in the Dewan Rakyat by Nor Azrina Surip (PH-Merbok), who asked how the proposed amendments would help in the management of naturally occurring radioactive materials or NORM residue.

To this, Deputy Energy, Green Technology, Science, and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said the drafting of amendments to AELA was in its final stage.

She said the amendments would include a clearer scope of authority on matters of safety, security safeguards, the strengthening of laws, and the management of radioactive materials outside the current scope including solid, liquid and gas materials.

“We assume any changes will apply to all industries regulated by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, including oil and gas and steel processing,” Lacaze told FMT.

It is understood that NORM residue is also a byproduct of decommissioning activities by one of Malaysia’s largest petroleum companies.

Decommissioning in the oil and gas industry refers to the process of ending offshore operations and returning the ocean and seabed to their original condition, as well as the disposal of equipment used during production.

Lacaze also maintained that Lynas’ operations in Malaysia are safe, citing the ministry’s scientific review committee which concluded that the company complied with all applicable laws.

“More importantly, they affirmed that Lynas Malaysia’s operations are low-risk, in line with the International Atomic Energy Agency findings in 2014 that the risk of Lynas Malaysia operations is intrinsically low.”

Lynas is the only major rare earths mining company outside China. The rare earths processed at its plant in Kuantan, Pahang, are crucial to the production of electric vehicles, computers and mobile phones. - FMT