The Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) committee is seeking the right of reply to the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) response, in the ministerial appeal against the granting of a licence to the Lynas rare earth refinery.

NONE In a statement today, SMSL chairperson Tan Bun Teet (left) said this message had been conveyed by the group’s lawyers to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili.

“On behalf of concerned residents of greater Kuantan, we urge the minister not to make any decision until we are given the democratic space and the right to comment on the AELB’s reply.  This is a fair and just ask by a citizens group,” Tan remarked.

Three Kuantan residents - one of them a SMSL member - had appealed to Maximus against the AELB approval of a licence for the rare earth refinery in Gebeng, Pahang.

azlan After hearing their appeal on April 17, Maximus (left) had given the AELB until the end of this month to respond before a final decision is made.

Hence SMSL has demanded that it should be allowed to respond to the AELB comments to the minister.

In his letter to the AELB, a copy of which was sent to SMSL, the minister described certain issues raised by the residents to be “obviously relevant, pertinent and important”.

Tan reiterated that the AELB has so far failed in its duty of care to adhere to its commitments to the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency which reviewed the Lynas construction phase last June.

“The AELB went ahead to approve Lynas’ application for a temporary operating licence, an import licence and a licence to dump its waste even though no permanent radioactive waste disposal facility is in sight as yet,” he said.

“Furthermore, the plant has several outstanding issues which the government should seriously looked into. Rare earth processing is one of the most hazardous and polluting industries, yet the AELB has fast-tracked the project without giving due consideration to the workers, natural environment and long-term impact on greater Kuantan - (whether) ecologically, economically and socially. This approval process is irresponsible and risky.”

Tan warned that, should the minister fail in his duty of care, SMSL will be left with little choice but to take the next course of action to stop the plant from operating.

“We have promised the people of Balok, Gebeng and the surrounding coastal areas, the people of Kuantan, as well as all concerned citizens of Malaysia who have lent their generous support to SMSL, that we shall do whatever it takes to stop this project,” he said.

Preparation for court case

In a related development, Tan revealed that the SMSL team and its lawyers have been working day and night to prepare a strong case against the defamation suit by Lynas which will be heard on June 19.

“With the support of some of the best expert witnesses, we shall meet Lynas head-on to counter every one of their charges in court that day,” he said.

Supporters have donated to the chartering of buses to ferry SMSL supporters to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to attend the hearing, he said.

“We call on all concerned citizens of greater Kuantan to give moral support by joining us on this important journey for justice.”

NONE At the same time, SMSL is pursuing legal action in Australia to delay Lynas’ plan to bring in its rare earth concentrate from its Mt Weld mine in Western Australia.

“Our friend and ally, the Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia, is currently waiting for the appropriate barrister’s advice to proceed with a court action.

“A major corporate law firm has also come on board to provide low-cost legal service to SMSL to pursue Lynas from Australia. SMSL will provide updates as progress is made on those fronts.”

He concluded by warning the government that the campaign will continue to intensify in the period leading up to the 13th general election.

“If the government continues to ignore the voices of the people, we will take to the street, we will go to court and we will take up every peaceful action possible to vote against any party that wants to see Lynas remain on Malaysian shores.”