The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been urged to investigate possible elements of corruption in the issuance of the temporary operating licence (TOL)for the Lynas Rare Earth project.

Nibong Tebal DAP chairperson Teoh Seang Hooi submitted a memorandum to the commission's office in Penang yesterday.

The document was addressed to MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed.

Teoh was accompanied by the division's youth chief Ong Hong Boon and Bukit Panchor DAP chairperson Ng Kan Teng.

In his memorandum, Teoh questioned why the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) had issued the TOL within four days on Jan 30 after the hearing.

NONE He added that it was very unusual as there were 1,123 objections against the rare earth project which were raised during the board hearing which ended on Jan 26 this year.

"However, four days later, the TOL had been issued for the project," said the Seberang Perai municipal councillor.

The public was allowed to scrutinise the Lynas' application for a licence from Jan 3 to 26.

But there had been complaints that the AELB applied too many restrictions during the viewing process, which included restricting the document viewing time of every individual.

Teoh called on the MACC to investigate incidences of bribery or abuse of authority on the part of any party involved in the project.

"We want MACC to carry out investigations without fear or favour, and not to bow to pressure from any party," he said outside the MACC office before handing over the memorandum.