The parliamentary select committee (PSC) to investigate the safety standards of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) will hold its first public hearing in Kuantan on May 10 and 11.

NONE BN Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan told reporters after attending the first meeting of the PSC today that the committee would visit to the rare earths refinery in Gebeng in the morning, with the public hearing scheduled to begin in the afternoon.

"Our approach will be slightly different. We want to engage with both parties, anti-Lynas and pro-Lynas," he said, adding that the venue of the hearing would be determined later.

The committee's second public hearing will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

"The PSC will be as fair as possible on the side of the people," Rahman said.

Other members of the PSC are Teng Boon Soon (BN-Tebrau), Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam), Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and Zulkifli Noordin (Ind-Kulim Bandar Baru).

PSC a 'waste of time' for Opposition

Headed by Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin, the PSC was mooted last month to include nine MPs - five from BN, three from the opposition and an independent, but the opposition decided not to be involved.

The opposition objected to the PSC, saying that it was a waste of time since the government had refused to issue a stop work order for the plant.

The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has said that while the plant has been issued with a temporary operating licence (TOL), it cannot begin operations until all the contentions are disposed of.

Rahman, although disappointed with the opposition's decision to stay out of the PSC, said the panel would try to wrap up its investigations and table its report for debate in Parliament by June 19.

He said the PSC will be also be engaging with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, Human Resources Ministry and the Health Ministry.

Liang added that the PSC was divided into two groups - one to handle safety, environment and health issues and the other, licensing and consultation.