Terengganu had rejected hosting the Lynas rare earth plant not because of public safety and environmental concerns, but to protect the state's tourism industry, said a state exco member.

According to a Sinchew Daily report today, state industry, trade and environment committee chairperson Toh Chin Yaw said Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) in 2006 proposed for the Lynas plant be set up in Kemaman.

Then-Terengganu menteri besar Idris Jusoh had invited Lynas to give a briefing to the state government at the time.

Due to the sensitivity of the project, Toh said, the state government had also approached other relevant agencies including the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), Department of Environment (DOE), and the Energy, Water and Green Technology Ministry, as well as NGOs such as Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)  for professional feedback.

NONE “We reached the conclusion that the raw materials used and the waste produced by the Lynas rare earth comply with safety standards,” the government-linked Chinese daily reported him as saying.

Toh maintained that although they felt the plant is safe, the state government turned down the proposal after considering the development of other state industries, especially tourism, which has the biggest potential.

He said that the state government was worried the controversial plant, now located in Kuantan, would be played up by certain quarters to become an environmental issue, negatively impacting the growing tourism industry in the state.

“Although experts have confirmed the refinery complies with safety standards, the public who have no knowledge about the radioactivity of rare earths would think that it is dangerous, hence it would tarnish Terengganu's image,” he added.

Toh reiterated that the rejection was not due to safety or environmental concerns but simply to protect the image and tourism industry of the state.

Related stories

No suspicions about safety of Lynas plant, says Najib

Anti-Lynas walk no sweat for police, says organiser

Local delights feast to focus on Lynas dangers