International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz visited the Lynas processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang yesterday (Wednesday), according to the ministry's social media postings.

It was on the same day his colleague Chang Lih Kang, who is in charge of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry had issued a strong statement against the rare earth processing facility - where he said Lynas must relocate its cracking and leaching facility out of Malaysia before July.

Failure of which, according to Chang, Lynas could lose its licence to operate in the country.

According to Miti’s Facebook, Zafrul (above) concluded his work visits yesterday with a trip to Lynas Malaysia, which is the largest single rare earth processing plant outside China.

"The government recognises the importance of products that are produced by Lynas, especially in the advanced technology segment such as for producing batteries for electric vehicles, motorcycles and smartphones.

"My ministry and its agencies are ready to exchange opinions with companies involved in the rare earth industry like Lynas, so as to ensure business-friendly facilities can be created in line with the environment, social and governance goals (ESG)," Zafrul said in a short statement that accompanied photos of him during the visit.

The photos and statement were posted on Facebook earlier this evening, but Malaysiakini has confirmed with Zafrul's office that they were taken during his visit to Lynas yesterday.

It was reported that the government has renewed the operating licence for Lynas’ processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan for three years, effective from March 3.

However, the licence was renewed with the same conditions imposed by the Pakatan Harapan administration in 2020.

The key conditions include relocating the cracking and leaching facility out of Malaysia before this July, after which it will no longer be allowed to import lanthanide concentrate into the country.

During a press conference at the Parliament yesterday, Chang said Lynas could have its licence revoked if the company fails to comply with the condition.

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