Malaysians told to press MPs to state stand on Lynas

Malaysians were told to press their elected representatives to state their stand on the Lynas rare earth plant.

When met at the anti-Lynas rally held by Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) at Taman Gelora, Kuantan today, DAP Bentong MP Wong Tack said the move will put these parliamentarians on record.

"I urge the people to download the petition uploaded to Himpunan Hijau's website, and put the MPs on record whether they are with the people on the Lynas issue," he told the media.

To a question, he also said there is a need to name and shame the cabinet members who agreed to the issuance of a 6-months operating license to Lynas.

"Definitely, so (the people) know who are the MPs and ministers (still) with the people," he said.

He said he will travel around the country to mobilise the people to voice their disagreement to the rare earth mining.

Meanwhile, Harapan Sungai Pelek state assemblyperson Ronnie Liu urged Prime Minister Dr Mahathir to explain why the government made such a decision on Lynas.

"This was a wrong decision to be made by the cabinet," he said.

"Why did he want Lynas to stay? I don't know, the prime minister must explain," he said.

Meanwhile, Semambu state assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung, who attended the rally this morning, asked how the government can ensure the safety of the new permanent disposal facility (PDF).

"All five (proposed) spots identified by the government are located in Pahang. So, where will the PDF be built? And, how (can the government) ensure safety?"

"I will raise the matter in the state legislative assembly sitting tomorrow and ask the state government's stand," he said.

"I call for the federal government to look into the demand of the rally-goers today, to impose a stricter standard on Lynas," he said.

It was reported the government eyed to build the PDF in one of the five defunct minesin Lepar, Luit, Padang Tengku, Bukit Ibam and Chini in Pahang.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy secretary-general KS Bawani accused Pakatan Harapan Bentong MP Wong Tack for attempting to hijack the anti-Lynas rally held by SMSL today.

"When the programme going on he gave a press conference.

"He is hijacking the programme and also without shame as Harapan makes a u-turn," she said.

"This is not the first u-turn, so many u-turns they have made. It is a kind of betrayal to the people," she added.  - Mkini