Chang: Lynas appeal hearing concluded, decision in mid-May

 

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said that the appeal hearing by Lynas against the government's licence conditions that would revoke its licence to operate in the country has concluded

“The hearing was already done this morning and the decision will be communicated in mid-May,” he told Malaysiakini.

He said that the hearing of the appeal by the rare earth mining company Lynas was held from 9am to 11.45am this morning.

“This is not a court hearing so there are no witnesses called.

“It is just an opportunity for them to file their appeal against the Atomic Energy Licensing Board’s decision.

“We heard from their lawyer Cecil Abraham, then their general manager Prof Ismail Bahari spoke about the technical part,” said Chang (above).

Asked about a Straits Times report quoting Lynas as asking Chang to discharge himself from the hearing, he dismissed it as a matter that did not arise.

“This is an appeal hearing based on the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984.

“According to Section 32 of the act, the minister must make the decision,” said Chang.

The minister told Malaysiakini he was not in a position to provide more details of the hearing at this point, as he needed time to look through the submissions.

The AELB has agreed to renew Lynas’ operating licence, but only under specific conditions.

One of these conditions was to relocate the cracking and leaching facility at Gebeng, Kuantan - which produces radioactive Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue - out of Malaysia before July 2023.

The other 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. - Mkini