VIDEO | 2:56 min

A scuffle broke out between Himpunan Hijau supporters and security staff at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre which was the venue of the Australia Day celebration, where Lynas Corporation officials were present.

 
About 30 protesters marched to the convention centre after gathering at the KLCC park fountain at about 6.30pm. They were led by Himpunan Hijau chief Wong Tack.
 
As Wong entered the centre, he was stopped by security personnel from entering a flight of stairs. Wong persisted and made his way up the stairs, prompting security personnel to forcefully stop the group.

Upon reaching the third floor, the security team attempted to shut the door on the group, but the protesters managed to slip past the cordon through another unguarded door.
 
Throughout the fracas, protesters chanted slogans urging Lamp’s closure, and displayed anti-Lynas banners. Some sat near the ceremony’s registration counter as a sign of protest.
 
Later, Australian High Commission in Malaysia security manager Llyod Laughlin intervened to calm Wong and listened to what his group has to say.
 
Ends with handshake
 
The protesters were then allowed to gather outside the hall and display their banners without further incident, while the entrance to the hall is place under tight security.
 
Despite the security presence however, guests already at the venue appeared shocked and panicked by the fracas. Only 15 metres separated where the protesters were sitting from the registration counter.
 
During the discussions between Laughlin and Wong, Wong said he did not mean to cause trouble and only wanted to deliver its objections to Lynas.
 
He demanded that the government of Australia and its High Commission respect Malaysian’s opposition to Lynas, and asked if Australia was prepared to receive the returned waste.
 
“We give seven days for the embassy to respond to our demands. We want Lynas out of Malaysia,” said Wong.
 
Laughlin pledged to forward his demands to the Australian government or the High Commissioner.
 
In the discussion, Wong also said that he and 1.2 million people would gather in Gebeng, Pahang on Jun 22 to close the factory.
 
“In that regard, we want Australia as a first-world country to act properly by listening to the people’s voice and acting humanely,” he said, ending the discussion with a handshake.