Pahang MB says Lynas plant ‘overpoliticised’

(The Malaysian Insider) – TEMERLOH, May 17 — Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said today that recent opposition-led demonstrations against the controversial rare earth plant in Kuantan were politically motivated.

He said that there was no reason to protest as an independent panel was already reviewing the plant being constructed by Australian miner Lynas Corp in the Gebeng industrial zone.

“All parties including the opposition should accept the decision of the independent panel,” he told reporters here.

Four DAP members were arrested on Sunday after demonstrating in front of the Pahang DAP headquarters against the RM700 million plant that has raised fears of radiation pollution among local residents and environmentalists.

Those opposing the plant fear a repeat of the radiation pollution from a similar plant in Bukit Merah, Ipoh.

The Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plant in Perak has been linked to birth defects and at least eight cases of leukaemia in the past five years, seven of which were fatal.

Nearly 20 years after it was shuttered, the plant is still the subject of a massive RM300 million cleanup exercise.

Those opposed to the plant have repeatedly questioned whether the project was brought to Malaysia because Australia would not accept the radioactive waste from the process.

Lynas has insisted that it picked Malaysia over Australia as it has a more competitive environment for the chemicals industry.

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