Lynas’ breached licensing condition – TOL should be suspended!

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)

Lynas’ breached licensing condition – TOL should be suspended!

3rd July 2013

SMSL calls on the Government to suspend Lynas’ temporary operating licence since it has failed to identify an acceptable safe permanent disposal facility (PDF) by 2nd July, ten months after the issuing of the licence, as a required condition for the licence.

Mr Tan Bun Teet from SMSL said “The Government has promised to scrutinise the Lynas project. It has even gone as far as saying that it will revoke Lynas’ licence if it is unsafe.  Not having a PDF is not a scientifically sound or safe solution to Lynas’ toxic waste.  The Government must act responsibly in the interest of the public. We do not want toxic and radioactive waste from Lynas contaminating Malaysia!“

One such promise was made by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Mustapha Bin Mohamed this year on 15th January. He claimed that the plant is safe scientifically and promised to scrutinise the plant and to revoke Lynas’ licence if it is unsafe.  SMSL is gravely concerned that the Government has not fulfilled its duty of care in scrutinising Lynas and letting toxic waste be dumped in technically unsound and poorly designed retention ponds.

“The Lynas plant is situated near dense rural fishing villages and housing estates. Allowing Lynas to continue to pollute our air, contaminate our waterways and our land tax-free is foolish.  It is a violation of people’s rights to clean air and water and a safe place to live. ” Said Haji Ismail Abu Bakar, another spokesperson from SMSL.

According to a detailed scientific analysis by the reputable German institution Oeko, Lynas’ proposed radioactive waste management plan is seriously deficient, contrary to claims by Lynas.  More details can be found in the attached Oeko Report Summary.

Meanwhile the market has lost confidence in Lynas.  Its share value has plunged to below Australian 40 cent last week.  Currently Lynas is operating below a sustainable financial manner.

“Lynas’ failure to stick to its licensing conditions is unacceptable.  It is unsafe for the public. Malaysia should not expose this kind of hazardous risk to its rakyat!” continued Mr Tan

“Lynas and the Malaysian Government may think that we will give up fighting Lynas.  In truth, we have never stopped.  We said we would fight till the end to Stop Lynas and we are doing exactly just that!” concluded Mr Tan.

SMSL will continue with its judicial review cases to seek the court to intervene to withdraw Lynas’ TOL for the safety and in the interest of local residents and all Malaysians.  Additionally, SMSL will embark on a campaign to Stop Lynas on a wider global scale.

For further comments, please contact SMSL hotline 012 982 3302

• Mr Tan Bun Teet, spokesperson for SMSL, Hp: +60 17973 0576
• Haji Ismail Abu Bakar – Hp+6019953 0921