Kuantan residents who took the trouble to apply for leave from work to prepare their Lynas arguments were shocked to learn that the parliamentary select committee (PSC) had ended today's session ahead of the scheduled time.

PSC chair Khaled Nordin had decided to close the hearing around noon when it should have been 4.30pm according to the set deadline, citing no more registered participants to justify his action.

The group of seven, attending in their individual capacities, claimed that two days ago they had fixed their appointment for 2.30pm today.

It was made via 'Save Malaysia Stop Lynas' (SMSL) head Tan Boon Teet with the PSC secretary, they added.

PSC accused of being insincere

They slammed the PSC for not being " sincere" for early end and questioned its reasoning of no registration meant early closure.

NONE "Even though a hospital does not have patients, their staff still need to wait until their duty hours are over before leaving ," said Eric Wong.

Another member of the group, Grace Lee lashed out at the PSC for organising the two-day hearing on weekdays and at Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Gambang, which is not convenient for the general public to attend.

"They do all these things to minimise the attendance of the public," she alleged.

Khaled's secretary, in a text message to a reporter later, claimed that the group belongs to SMSL, which had already attended yesterday's session.

The group, however, clarified that they do not belong to SMSL, but only liaised with it for registration.

The SMSL group staged a walk out from yesterday's hearing after failing in the attempt to win immunity for their statements from the PSC.