Aggrieved residents will discuss the possibility of filing a judicial review if the government make a final decision to lift a condition requiring Australia's Lynas Corp to ship out radioactive waste from its rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.
Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) spokesperson Tan Boon Teet (photo, above) told Malaysiakini the legal challenge will be among options to be discussed at a town hall meeting on Aug 18 in Taman Gelora, Kuantan.
"The residents must be accurately informed about the (Lynas) issue. We have a duty to inform them correctly on what is happening next (with Lynas)," said Tan when contacted today.
"For any decision made, Kuantan residents as the aggrieved party can file a judicial review against it," he said, adding that SMSL had initially planned to gather the residents on Sunday in the expectation that a final cabinet decision would have been made by this week.
Between two expected outcomes, Tan said it would be more concerning if the government were to allow Lynas to store its waste here by building a permanent waste disposal facility.
At a press conference last month, he said SMSL had requested to meet with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad before a final decision on Lynas' permit extension is made by the cabinet.
Until today, Tan told Malaysiakini there has been no acknowledgement from the Prime Minister’s Office to their invitation letter sent earlier last month.
Late last year, the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry had instructed Lynas to send its stockpile of water leach purification (WLP) waste - currently, over 451,654 tonnes of it - to Australia by September 2, which is when it’s temporary storage license is up for renewal.
This was one of two pre-conditions set by the ministry. The other being that the company must submit an action plan on the disposal of its accumulated non-radioactive neutralisation underflow residue (NUF).
Mahathir yesterday said that Putrajaya is still waiting for Lynas to make a proposal on how it will deal with low-level radioactive waste produced at its plant.
For nearly eight months, Lynas has been locked in a dispute with Putrajaya over the removal of its waste, and the prime minister yesterday said the government is still waiting for the company's proposal on its waste management plan.
Lynas has reportedly submitted all documents necessary for the renewal of its operating licence.
According to Lynas Malaysia managing director Mashal Ahmad, an Atomic Energy Licensing Board audit on the company several months ago was "very satisfactory". - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.