There has been much concern expressed in recent times about Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd and its plans to manufacture rare earth oxides in Kuantan. Many of these concerns are about the health, safety and environmental aspects of the project. Let me assure you that the safety of the people has the highest priority of this People First Government.
In response to these concerns, the Government’s position on this matter is clear. We will never compromise the public interest in the handling of the Lynas issue, and the health and safety of our people and the environment will continue to receive the highest priority in our deliberations in this regard.
Towards this end, the Government has decided to appoint an independent panel of international experts to review the health and safety aspects of this project, and to report to the Government its findings.
This panel will be appointed as soon as possible and expect that it will take about a month to complete its job. Until this exercise is completed, and pending a government decision on its findings, the following will apply:
i. No pre-operating licence will be issued to Lynas by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board.
ii. There will be no importation into Malaysia of raw materials from Australia.
iii. A review will be undertaken to ensure that construction of the facility at the site fully complies with international safety standards.
Lynas was granted a manufacturing licence in January 2008 to produce “rare earth oxides and carbonates” at Gebeng Industrial Estate, Kuantan. This licence was granted subject to a number of conditions, including the following:
a) Compliance with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984.
b) Compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Lynas has since proceeded to build its plant at Gebeng, and all work at the site have been continuously monitored by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board and the Department of Environment. To date, both authorities have been satisfied that the company has met with all health and safety requirements and standards required of them.
In response to these concerns, the Government’s position on this matter is clear. We will never compromise the public interest in the handling of the Lynas issue, and the health and safety of our people and the environment will continue to receive the highest priority in our deliberations in this regard.
Towards this end, the Government has decided to appoint an independent panel of international experts to review the health and safety aspects of this project, and to report to the Government its findings.
This panel will be appointed as soon as possible and expect that it will take about a month to complete its job. Until this exercise is completed, and pending a government decision on its findings, the following will apply:
i. No pre-operating licence will be issued to Lynas by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board.
ii. There will be no importation into Malaysia of raw materials from Australia.
iii. A review will be undertaken to ensure that construction of the facility at the site fully complies with international safety standards.
Lynas was granted a manufacturing licence in January 2008 to produce “rare earth oxides and carbonates” at Gebeng Industrial Estate, Kuantan. This licence was granted subject to a number of conditions, including the following:
a) Compliance with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984.
b) Compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Lynas has since proceeded to build its plant at Gebeng, and all work at the site have been continuously monitored by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board and the Department of Environment. To date, both authorities have been satisfied that the company has met with all health and safety requirements and standards required of them.