Community pressure group Save Malaysia Stop Lynas today said that a permit from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) is required for Lynas to ship rare earth ore to its plant in Gebeng near Kuantan.

NONE As such, the group said in a statement today, only the AELB can confirm if the radioactive material will be shipped over this month as claimed by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh ( right ), but denied by Lynas.

“We hereby call upon AELB and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) to reaffirm their claim that they have not given any licences including the pre-operating licence to Lynas.

“Any preemptive moves by Lynas or covert attempts by AELB or Miti in this matter will be construed as a grave betrayal of the trust of the people,” added the group, which represents residents from Gebeng, Balok, Kemaman and Kuantan.

It noted that its investigations on the matter found that if the ore is shipped, it will be done through Singapore for transshipment before reaching the Kuantan Port.

“It will be labelled as radioactive once it reaches Kuantan Port but will not be considered as radioactive anywhere along the route.

“It will come in containers and be carted  away immediately from the ship to the factory once it reaches the port after it has received custom clearance,” the group said.

Last week Fuziah told a press conference that the Australian company will begin shipping the ore from Port Weld, Australia by the end of the month.

She claimed that the matter was discussed by the Health, Safety and Environment Committee meeting with Kuantan Port Authorities, Kuantan Port Consortium and the Land Occupants of Kuantan Port area last week.

Lynas, however, vehemently denied the claim, as it has no pre-operating licences for the controversial rare earth plant.