Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob said the state government welcomes peaceful demonstrations in Pahang as they could help generate economic activities for various parties.

Refering to Himpunan Hijau 2.0's rally held in Kuantan today, Adnan said  "Demo-Tourism" should be encouraged.

"The state government welcomes this peaceful demonstration because it generated economic activities especially for entrepreneurs and businessmen in Kuantan.

"I call this Demo-Tourism. Demo-Tourism should be encouraged," he said through an SMS to Bernama in Kuantan today.

According to Adnan: "Himpunan Hijau has completed its demonstration. There are three things that can be seen here.

    

"First, there is healthy democracy in the country. Everyone can speak and assemble as long as they do not break the law.  

"Secondly, the authorities, especially the police and the Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) have acted fairly and professionally to ensure the rally ran smoothly.

"Thirdly, the Anti-Lynas movement under the name of Himpunan Hijau clearly is not significant. The people did not believe the opposition who are only good at lying," he said.

The Himpunan Hijau 2.0 demonstration, which was held at the MPK 4 field here, failed to attract 20,000 people as targeted when only about 3,000 people turned up to protest Lynas' rare earth plant operations in Kuantan.

The rally was to protest against Lynas Advanced Materials Plants, a company which has been given a licence to operate the plant temporarily.

- Bernama