Please don't 'kill' us - Lynas workers appeal to govt

 

Hundreds of pro-Lynas individuals gathered in Kuantan, Pahang this afternoon, amid the government’s conditional renewal of the company’s licence.

The group's spokesperson, Mimi Afzan Afza Abdullah, who is vice-president (people and culture) of the company, urged the government to review its decision to stop the cracking and leaching (C&L) facility of the Lynas plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

Lynas Malaysia vice-president (People and Culture) Mimi Afzan Afza Abdullah

"Most of us are locals, we have families too, so please be fair to us.

"We have the necessary expertise so don't 'kill' us. The new conditions set by the government will 'kill' us and also 'kill' more job opportunities for the locals," she told reporters after attending a peaceful pro-Lynas gathering at a football field in Balok, Kuantan, this afternoon.

The gathering started at about 2pm and ended one-and-a-half hours later.

Participants of the rally carried banners voicing support for Lynas, and some even urged intervention from the Pahang palace to help them.

The group claimed that the government's decision to stop the Lynas plant’s facility has put the livelihoods of thousands at risk.

Lynas acting supervisor Mohd Badrul Hisham Zulkifli said the government should have sought feedback from all stakeholders before deciding on the matter.

"I've been with Lynas for more than 10 years and I'm not stupid. If this factory is dangerous and (there are) radioactive (substances), why would I still work here?

"I have a wife and children too, and I would not risk them if indeed this factory puts me and my family in danger," said Badrul, who is also undergoing training at the Lynas headquarters in Australia.

Last week, the government agreed to renew Lynas' licence on several conditions, one of which was to relocate the cracking and leaching facility - which produces radioactive Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue - out of Malaysia before July 2023.

Lynas acting supervisor Mohd Badrul Hisham Zulkifli

The company decried the conditions and warned that hundreds of jobs would be lost as a direct result if it is forced to close its cracking and leaching facility.

Following this, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang indicated that Lynas would be able to keep its cracking and leaching plant in Malaysia - on the condition that no radioactive waste materials are kept in the country.