Lynas’ plant environmental, radiological reports for public scrutiny till June 30

(The Malaysian Insider) – KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Two key assessment reports for the controversial Lynas rare earth refinery in Kuantan — environmental and radiological — are available for public viewing from May 30 to June 30 at various government offices, the International Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also told The Malaysian Insider that it ran public announcements in Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil newspapers on May 25, 2011, inviting the public to submit their views to the international review panel that will sit from May 29 to June 3.

This was in response to Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh’s (picture) claims only selected papers ran the advertisements for the panel reviewing the RM700 million rare earth plant in Kuantan.

“On 25 May 2011, the ministry inserted the said public announcement in 8 major newspapers,” it said in a statement sent to The Malaysian Insider.

MITI listed Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, The Star, New Straits Times, Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Malaysian Nanban and Makkal Osai as the newspapers.

As for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) reports, the ministry said it will be available for public viewing at the Department of Environment library, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the library of the Pahang Department of Environment, the Kuantan Municipal Council and the Pahang Land and District Office.

Both reports are also available at the Pahang police headquarters, the National Library of Malaysia, the police beat base at the Gebeng Industrial Estate, the Pahang State Library, Balai Penghulu Mukim and all Department of Environment and Atomic Energy Licensing Board state offices.

Putrajaya bowed to public pressure last month and put the plant being built by Lynas Corp on ice last month pending a month-long review by international experts.

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