The Pahang sultan should intervene to prevent the Lynas plant from operating in the state, said DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh.

Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah should step in, in the interests of his subjects, Karpal told a press conference in Penang today.

"For example, during the Bersih 2.0 rally last July, the Agong invited the organisers to the palace to request them to hold the (gathering) at another venue, in the public interest," he said.

It i karpal singh and dap 120106 s difficult to believe, noted Karpal (left) , that the Lynas plant will be allowed to operate in Gebeng, only 40km from Kuantan.

He said the setting up of a parliamentary select committee (PSC) will not resolve the burning issues surrounding the potential hazards from radioactive waste that will be generated by the Lynas plant.

"It only means that the federal government wants to stall on its position due to the coming general election," he said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said the PSC on Lynas is engagement process with the public to ensure that the matter is well understood by them but the committee would not decide on the fate of the project.

Anti-Lynas lobby group Himpunan Hijau 2.0 has described the committee as as a "unnecessary and a gimmick" by the government to delay addressing the issue.

‘Hold educational fair’

Dr Cheah Soon Hai, who heads Gerakan’s environmental, safety and quality of life bureau, said the project should be immediately suspended, pending the PSC recommendations.

NONE He said the PSC is crucial to the government's efforts to allay fears of health hazards and the safety of residents.

"The government should (hold) an educational fair about Lynas (to create) awareness and right views of the project," he said in a statement.

"To be fair to the experts and the government, the public should listen to the experts from both sides.”

Cheah urged the public not to be "over-sensitive" about Lynas or focus too much on the issue.

Environmentalists should also look at other industries like solar-panel production and use of uranium technology, he added.