Lynas executive chairman Nicholas Curtis has lamented that the controversy surrounding the rare earth refining plant in Pahang is undermining Malaysia’s international investment reputation.

The High Court has today denied an application for leave for a judicial review of the decision of the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board to approve the granting of a temporary operating licence to the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP).

Ten Gebeng residents had on Feb 17 filed a suit against the AELB challenging the agency’s decision to approve the temporary licence for Lynas’ RM2.5 billion plant, which is being built near their homes.

NONE In welcoming the court decision, Curtis ( left ) suggested that the Malaysian government should have the backbone to reject the demands made by the anti-Lynas activists.

“The Malaysian government must be able to provide certainty to Malaysian and international

businesses that they will not be frustrated by a campaign of delay once those companies have

completed the pre-defined and rigorous Malaysian government regulatory approvals process,” Curtis said in a statement.

According to Curtis, the “concerted political campaign, which is based on misinformation, is sabotaging the science-based, regulatory process established in Malaysia and confidence in that process.”

“Since the project was first approved in 2007, the LAMP has been subjected to the highest degree of scrutiny and public comment.

“It has been reviewed and received approval from both the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing board and every safety box has been ticked.

“So it is disappointing that the highest safety standards integrated into the plant to protect human and environmental safety are ignored by a few people. The LAMP is safe for everyone concerned and we look forward to the day when that will be recognised.”

Lynas different from Bukit Merah

The High Court has today ruled that it cannot intervene in the dispute as there is an appeal process undertaken by Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Maximus Ongkili.

It is believe that the appeal by Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) group to the minister will be heard in April 2012, in time for the Lynas to fire up its plant by the middle of this year.

Residents in Gebeng fear radiation from the waste produced by the Lynas plant.

NONE They have highlighted another controversial rare earth plant in Bukit Merah, Perak, which was shut down in 1992 after a long campaign by environmentalists.

Curtis said that the continued attempts to link Lynas’ plant to Bukit Merah were without

foundation.

He said that the Bukit Merah feedstock had radiation levels 30 times higher than the LAMP feedstock and the residue at Bukit Merah was 100 times the radiation levels of the LAMP by-product.

“It is disturbing that this baseless scare campaign has created unnecessary anxiety and fear in the community.

“However, we will continue to address that misinformation now, when we receive our TOL and when we commence operations at LAMP,” said Curtis.