VIDEO | 6.03 mins

After three months of campaigning, environmental group Himpunan Hijau have reached their target of securing one million signatures in a petition for the closure of Lynas' rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Kuantan.

The campaign began with a sluggish start, prompting the movement's leader Wong Tack to camp out at Dataran Merdeka for 36 days since August 24 to highlight the movement's cause.

Wong told reporters at Dataran Merdeka this afternoon that the target was reached at about 11.45pm yesterday and the final tally was 1.06 million.

The next step is to submit the petition to the Agong. Wong was coy about the details, but revealed that it involved Australian environmentalists and a "ceremony" in front of the palace.

"I will go back to Sabah for a short break and will return soon to complete our unfinished tasks," he said.

On Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah's claim that the rare earth plant was as safe as a soya sauce factory, Wong said it would be a waste of time to reply him.

"In this country, and only in this country, even a 'potato' can become a minister... This government is no longer trustworthy, I don’t regard them as leaders,” he said.

Lynas received its temporary operating licence , amidst strong public protest, a year ago but permanent waste disposal plans have yet to be made public.

Rare earth refineries produce hazardous materials that requires proper treatment and storage.