The official website of Lynas Corp that is building  the controversial the rare earths Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng, Kuantan, has been hacked again today.

NONE The website was hit by a black screen with a Stop Lynas, Save Malaysia logo, apparently in protest at efforts for the company to proceed with its plans to begin operations after receiving a temporary operating license (TOL) from the government.

Later this morning the hacked site was rendered inaccessible.

The site was hacked last February, concurrently with the massive rally in Kuantan against the plant that locals fear may pose a radiation hazard.

Anti-Lynas group Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) today await a court verdict on Lynas’s application for an injunction to silence criticism against the plant.

Last month Lynas filed a defamation suit and injunction against SMSL, a move that an anti-nuclear group Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia (Anawa) has criticised as "un-Australian".

SMSL spokesperson Tan Bun Teet ( below ), a defendant in Lynas’ application, said yesterday, “In any democracy, citizens have the rights to voice out.

NONE “Here we are dealing with the world’s biggest rare earth plant which was built without any consultation with the public, located in a swampy area so close to the sea and the population."

“We as informed and concerned citizens cannot simply sit back and do nothing,” he said in a statement today.

Last month the group failed in their appeal to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to have the TOL withdrawn.

The Ministry’s decision has been highly criticised for not doing enough to ensure the plant’s safety, despite requesting two additional conditions from Lynas, that did not however include requirements for its waste removal .

Related stories

Lynas fails to get injunction to gag NGOs

Duo charged with injuring journalist fined RM1,500 each