Groups came away with mixed reactions as the expert review panel formed to study the safety aspects of the Lynas Advanced Material Plant (Lamp) completed two days of meetings with selected public representatives.

Most who turned up for the 30-minute sessions on the second and last day of meetings today declined to comment on their private discussions, but those that did speak to the media appeared unconvinced that the project's benefits outweigh the potential risks.

The Pahang Bar highlighted concerns over the reliability of the recently-released radiological impact assessment (RIA), stressing that the data used to complete the study came from limited sources, particularly Lynas which benefits from a positive reading.

State chairperson NONE Hon Kai Ping ( centre ) credited Nuklear Malaysia - which conducted the RIA - for being up-front in stating that the assessment needs to be revised when "more operational data" is available.

He said Nuklear Malaysia's admission that a reasonably large chunk of the data used was provided by Lynas and not from an independent source, would suggest that the conclusions presented are uncertain.

"This would put into question the reliability of all the information provided under paragraph six of the RIA, if not the whole of the RIA itself... how could AELB (Atomic Energy Licensing Board) give approval based on this," he told the media after their session with the panel.

‘New RIA needed'

The fact that Lynas was a key data source for the RIA makes it necessary for a new assessment to be carried out using independent sources to comply with provisions under the Malaysian Environmental Quality Act 1974, Hon said.

He added that the public should be given full access to both the new RIA and the project's detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) report in the interest of transparency and the people's right to be consulted before any further approvals are given to Lynas.

najib tun razak may 2011 "The Pahang Bar noted that concerns voiced by the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( right ) that the health and safety of the people is of paramount importance, and to that extent, request that the issuance of an operating license be stayed pending the issuance of a detailed EIA and fresh RIA."

Representatives of Chinese associations in Pahang were sceptical over assurances of the RM700 million plant's safety, claiming that the nine-member panel had told them during their meeting that there are systems in place to monitor and make sure the facility remains safe.

Pahang Federation of Chinese Associations vice-chair claimed the panel told them that the industry "normally has no risk" to public safety and health.

"They also told us that it does not matter whether you live near or far from the plant, as it is safe, but we told them that nothing has a 100 percent guarantee," he said.

‘Business will be affected'

Chow declined to pass judgement on their meeting with the panel, but stressed that the business community is deeply concerned over the impact the plant will have on businesses and property prices - at least in the immediate term - should the plant start operations.

"We are worried about (these issues), because of radiation (fears)... but there are their answers, so we will have to think for ourselves," he said.

The Green Coalition, which was the last group to meet the panel, seemed more upbeat when they declared they had a "very good meeting", though they declined to divulge many details of their exchange.

NONE The coalition, which includes public health expert and Bukit Merah activist T Jayabalan ( right ), went only as far as to say that they registered their total opposition to the project with the panel, while pointing out that there is no such thing as a safe dose of radiation.

Coalition member and chemical engineer Tan Ka Kheng claimed that the panel had attempted to justify the many measures and standards they will use to make sure the plant is safe.

"We told them not to tell us it is safe, because even the US environmental protection agency, which has the highest standard of environmental protection, has accepted that there is no such thing as a safe dose (of radiation)," he said.

After the two days of private consultation with public representatives, the panel - formed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - is scheduled to conduct a site visit to the Lynas plant in the Gebeng industrial zone tomorrow morning, before heading back to Putrajaya.

The panel is expected to spend another two days in Putrajaya before leaving on Friday. Its findings are expected to be presented to the government by the end of June.

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