KUALA LUMPUR: The government will be seen as being utterly irresponsible towards the people’s wellbeing if it fails to shut down the Lynas rare earth plant in Kuantan, a government backbencher said in Parliament today.
In debating a supplementary bill for government expenditure on environmental conservation, Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said that the radioactive element radon – from thorium decay – is endangering the lives of those living near the Gebeng industrial zone where the plant is situated.
The Lynas Advanced Materials Plant, known locally as Lynas, has been the subject of controversy for over a decade, with those who are for or against the setting up of the plant constantly engaged in a debate over potential safety hazards.
Owned by Australian company Lynas Corporation Ltd, the plant has been in operation since early 2012.
“If the effluents or radioactive material are not dangerous, why did they not set up the plant in Australia?
“Why do they have to set it up here? Are we not worried about the hazards posed? The people living near the industrial area are (at risk of developing) cancer.
“If the Energy, Green Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Ministry does not move to shut down this plant, then the government will be irresponsible for allowing its operations to continue,” Hassan said.
He also claimed that waste from the plant is not being disposed of properly, and that it “could end up in a nearby river.”
“I know it is not easy to shut down the plant. But we can do it legally. We do not need it.
“I would like to pose this challenge (to Lynas) – if the (rare earth) materials are safe, take them back to Australia,” he added.