Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today took his anti-Lynas campaign to the company’s country of origin, addressing Malaysians and students and professionals at the University of Melbourne.

During his speech, Lim questioned the Malaysian government's eagerness to host Lynas' RM700 million rare-earth processing plant in Gebeng Kuantan despite the Australian government's reluctance over the project.

"If Western Australia refuses to allow its own Australian company Lynas to set up a rare earth procesing plant eventhough it is 23 times bigger than Malaysia, should not the Malaysian government learn from the lessons behind the Australian government's refusal?" he asked.

Under present arrangement, the rare-earth mined by Lynas in Mount Weld, Australia will not be processed locally but will instead be exported to Malaysia to be processed at its plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

Critics are concerned that the byproduct from this process which produces radioactive thorium and uranium is hazardous to the environment and those living within the vicinity.

Responsible governance

Debate has been raging in Malaysia over how the waste should be stored as the Western Australian government has explicitly stated its refusal for the waste to be exported back to its origin.

"I have explained to the Australian media that if the Australian government can refuse to allow its own rare earth ore taken from Western Australia to be processed in Australia or allow the treated waste residue to be returned at source, why should Malaysia take the risk and expose Malaysians to such danger.

"Whilst economic progress is important, any responsible government should never put profits before health or environmental safety," he said.

Upon learning of Lim’s working visit to Melbourne, Lynas CEO Nick Curtis had invited the chief minister for a meeting.

However, the chief minister flatly rejected the invitation, calling on Curtis to first meet the people of Kuantan to address their concerns before seeking a meeting with him.