Suspend Lynas immediately while pending recommendation from PSC

Gerakan: Suspend Lynas immediately while pending recommendation from PSC

 

Press Statement by

Gerakan Environmental, Safety and Quality of Life Bureau Chairman

Kedah Gerakan Chairman cum Derga State Assemblyman

Dr Cheah Soon Hai

19 March 2012

 

Gerakan Environmental, Safety and Quality of Life Bureau Chairman Dr Cheah Soon Hai welcomes the setting up of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Lynas. The government should suspend Lynas' operation immediately until the Parliamentary Select Committee has made its recommendation.

He said, "A Parliamentary Select Committee is crucial to show that the government is serious about health hazards issues and the safety and security of the people. The government should carry out educational fair about Lynas for the sake of creating awareness and right view of the project. To be fair to the experts and the government, the public should listen to the experts from both sides."

Apart from looking at the economical benefit brought by Lynas to the country, we should find a mechanism to minimize the harmful effects of having a rare earth plant. The public should not be over sensitive about Lynas nor focus too much on the issue of Lynas only. The environmentalists should look into other industries like solar panel and uranium technology. He also said that different groups should be allowed to visit Lynas in order to better understand the project.

"Approving the Lynas upfront of all risks will only create more suspicion of corruption in the project," Dr Cheah who is also Kedah Gerakan Chairman added.

He said, the Parliamentary Select Committee, Ministry and the relevant technical agencies such as AELB and Department of Environment should meet with representatives of NGOs, student groups and public to provide an explanation. The engagement will provide a better understanding of the project that prevents it to be manipulated by several parties with vested interests.