Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 19^th March 2012: 

DAP will not participate in a sham PSC on Lynas rare earth processing plant  

DAP will not participate in a sham Parliamentary Select Committee(PSC) on Lynas rare earth processing plant which serves to deliver a "fait accompli" by endorsing the Lynas plant and force public acceptance without any due regard for safety, environmental and health concerns. DAP will propose to the PR Leadership not to allow BN to use our presence in the PSC to legitimatize a Lynas plant, so that PR is not part of any environmental disaster that happens in the future.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had confirmed that the PSC was a sham in disguise by BN to legitimatize what is essentially wrong and against public interest, by saying that the PSC would not decide on the fate of Lynas. He added that the PSC is merely an engagement process so that the Lynas project can be carried out and would not be opposed by the people or create public fear.

The prime minister hoped that the committee could raise awareness on the project so that "we can achieve comfort in terms of better public acceptance." In other words, this whole exercise is merely to help the project gain acceptance and to help the BN Government convince Malaysians that there is no threat from the Lynas rare earth plant and its potentially hazardous radioactive waste.

If the PSC cannot decide on the fate of the project, then it is a complete waste of time for us to participate, as it is nothing more than a fait accompli to rubberstamp approval of the RN700 million plant. BN has sacrificed the health and well-being of Malaysians, especially in Kuantan by valuing profits above all in awarding Lynas a 12 year tax holiday.

Malaysians will not be so easily fooled by BN. We demand an answer to the real issue at hand. Until today, there is no certainty over where the radioactive waste will be stored. Initially, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board or AELB has claimed that Lynas Corporation will be required to return any radioactive waste to Australia if it fails to set-up a suitable permanent disposable facility here. That has been rejected by Australia.

Then the AELB says that they may be stored in abandoned tin mines in Sungai Lembing, clearly reinforcing the fact that the wastes will be disposed in Malaysian soil. Clearly for the sake of huge profits earned by the few, BN is willing to gamble not just on our health but also the environmental safety of our future generation.

Penang PR has rejected any Lynas plant or nuclear reactors in Penang as we will not compromise on the safety of Malaysian. DAP will suggest that PR not to participate in the PSC as we should not be used as tools in the BN's bid to fool the people and to justify the setting up of the Lynas rare earth plant.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan