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Expedite investigations into Lynas Corporation’s operations – says SAM

  • Publication Date | September 21, 2018
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Mining & Extractives, Pollution, Toxics, Waste
  • Tags | AELB, DoE, Gebeng, LAMP, Lynas, Pahang, public health, Radioactive, rare earth, WLP
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)  calls on the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment (MESTECC) to expedite the investigations into the operations of Lynas Corporation Sdn. Bhd located in Gebeng, Pahang and to take all measures to close the plant and remove all the wastes, including the products made from the wastes which are hazardous to public health and the environment.

SAM is extremely concerned by a statement by PAS State Assemblyman for Beserah, YB Haji Andansura Rabu, reported in the media on 21 Sept. claiming that the plant “is safe” and should be allowed to operate freely.

SAM is most disturbed by the Assemblyman’s comments, including in supporting the company’s proposal to “recycle the waste into a soil enhancer for agricultural use”.

Such statements and proposals clearly reveal a complete disregard about the dangers of such radioactive wastes that are harmful to public health and safety, as well as the environment for generations to come.

The dangers of such radioactive wastes from rare-earth processing are exemplified by the effects of such waste on the Bukit Merah community in Ipoh, Perak as a result of the activities of the Asian Rare Earth plant in the early 1990’s.

In fact, the dangers of such wastes which remain radioactive for billions of years, were referred to recently by Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed and was among the reasons for rejecting nuclear power in the country. (See news reports of 19 Sept). The PM referred to the Bukit Merah case and how Malaysia has lost 1 sq. km of land in Perak to bury the wastes “under thick cement to prevent radiation from affecting people” and which area was still not safe.

SAM is completely in support with the Federal government’s decision not to use nuclear energy as there are no safe ways to dispose and manage such radioactive wastes.

We must learn from the Bukit Merah experience, as YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed has done, and apply the lessons to the Lynas case. The Bukit Merah community has suffered untold suffering with high levels of mothers miscarrying babies, children suffering from leukaemia, blood lead poisoning and early deaths. These effects are grim reminders not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

It is most worrying that the Lynas plant and the Malaysian Atomic Energy Agency (AELB) have not made public the detailed plan for the permanent waste disposal facility including its location.

Recycling radioactive wastes into “soil enhancers” is a preposterous and irresponsible suggestion which distributes radioactive contamination even wider. A similar proposal was made by the ARE plant in Bukit Merah, which was rejected by the local community and the public who did not wish to be duped by claims of safe use.

SAM also supports the recent statement by YB Wong Tack, the Bentong Member of Parliament (20 Sept) in relation to the dangers posed by the Lynas operations.

We agree completely that Malaysia should not be a dumping ground for radioactive wastes or hazardous activities by foreign rare earth companies who are not allowed to carry out such risky ventures in their own home countries, be it Australia or Japan.

We sincerely hope that the Executive Committee set up to investigate Lynas under MESTECC is convened urgently to halt the dangerous activities of Lynas, which continues to accumulate hazardous wastes on its premises and presents a danger to the surroundings.

Action must be taken soon before it is too late.

S M Mohamed Idris

President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
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Malaysia
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