A group of ‘uninvited guests' crashed this morning's anti-Lynas protest in Kuantan, claiming this had 'spoilt' the Teluk Cempedak beach.

NONE The ‘Save Malaysia' group comprising about 120 people held a protest this morning at a square on the beach front.

The area is next to a hotel where the nine-member IAEA review panel of the Lynas Advance Material Plant is staying and where public consultations are underway.

However, their action drew the attention of about 20 people who walked toward the protestors from a nearby restaurant, rebuking them for 'spoiling' the beach.

They attempted to disperse the protestors violently, but were stopped by the police.

NONE The police told the protesters to disperse, but the other group ( left ) directed its anger at them.

"(Unlike them) we are from Kuantan, this is Malay land!" said a man who identified himself as Azman Attar.

Azman and a friend, Sharul Hazrin, said the protest would frighten away tourists.

Sharul suggested that protestors should express their dissatisfaction to the Lynas plant by sending two or three people to hand a memorandum to the panel.

Both strong denied that they are Umno members.

Violent outcome

The ‘Save Malaysia' group, led by chairperson Tan Bun Teet, then moved to another part the beach, where they waited until 9.30am.

Those who had interrupted the protest saw their ranks growing to about 100.

They then turned rough, making forceful attempts to stop the anti-Lynas protesters, and snatching journalists' cameras in the process. Yet, the police made no arrests.

Kuantan OPCD Mohd Jasmani Yusof later told the press that both groups had been warned.

Although the pro-group had a stronger presence, Jasmani claimed that members of the ‘Save Malaysia’ group were still around and that the police had to deal with both sides on the same basis.

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