Minister: Anti-Lynas rally won't influence gov't
The government will base its decision on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng on "procedures and laws" and not on the Himpunan Hijau rally.
The government will base its decision on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng on "procedures and laws" and not on the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rally.
International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed (
left
) said it will base its policy on the decision of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).
"Whatever we do, it has got to be based on laws and procedures. We have to professional.
"The AELB has made a decision, (there is) no reason not to take the decision on board," Mustapa said when met in Kuala Lumpur.
The minister, who spoke to Malaysiakini after announcing the 2011 investment figures, was asked if a turnout of 20,000 at Himpunan Hijau 2.0 would affect the government’s decision.
More engagement needed
Mustapa did concede that there had not been enough engagement with the stakeholders.
“There needs to be more engagement and we will continue to do so,” he said.
Asked if this engagement between the authorities and the stakeholders would take place during the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rally, he said: “No, no. But we are engaging with them almost every day now.”
The rally, which will involve esidents of Gebeng and its surrounding areas and their supporters, including politicians and civil society groups, will take place in Kuantan on Sunday.
This will be the second rally to be held after the government’s issuance of a temporary operating licence (TOL) to Lynas for the rate earths refining plant in Gebeng.
Some 2,000 residents from around Kuantan protested against the TOL on the Teluk Cempedak Beach earlier this month in a rally organised by another anti-Lynas group, Save Malaysia.
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Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rallies outside of Kuantan, too
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