PARLIAMENT | Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang confirmed that his ministry is currently reviewing an appeal made by Lynas against the condition that it stops the cracking and leaching (C&L) facility of its plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.
He added that the Atomic Energy Licensing Act (1984), also known as Act 304, stipulates that Lynas has the right to appeal within 30 days of receiving the notice.
However, while speaking at the Dewan Rakyat today, Chang reiterated that the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has agreed to renew Lynas’ operating licence under specific conditions.
One of these conditions was to relocate the cracking and leaching facility - which produces radioactive Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue - out of Malaysia before July 2023.
“AELB has issued an operating license (to Lynas) for three years from March 3, 2023, until March 2, 2026, provided Lynas complies with the four conditions which were imposed on them back in 2020.
“If they are not complied with, there are possibilities that the license may be revoked,” he said.
The four conditions that Lynas must comply with include beginning the process of developing a permanent disposal facility, submitting a work development plan and reporting its status, ensuring their cracking and leaching plant outside Malaysia is in operation by July 2023 and maintaining a financial deposit for compliance.
In a similar development, Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (Harapan-Tebrau) asked Chang how much has Lynas paid in corporate taxes - to which the ministry reaffirmed that the company had not paid a single sen since the beginning of its operations in 2012.
“Since Lynas began operating in 2012, not a sen of corporate tax has been paid.
“The government gave Lynas a 12-year tax exemption,” he stated.
Chang stated that the government has no objection to any of Lynas’ activities but that it must comply with the conditions that have been set.
He added that the government will continue to monitor the operation of Lynas to ensure its workers, the public and environment are not harmed. - Mkini
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