Himpunan Hijau involves international NGOs in its anti-Lynas campaigns

KUALA LUMPUR: Himpunan Hijau is pulling in international non-government organisations (NGOs) in its campaign to shut down Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng, Kuantan.

“We will work with foreign NGOs like Greenpeace Southeast Asia and those in Australia to put pressure on financial institutions and other companies that support them, until it (Lynas) shuts down,” said Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack at a press conference on Saturday.

Himpunan Hijau had assembled a list of companies, including banks in Japan and America, who were providing financial facilities to Lynas, he said.

“We will write to them and give them an opportunity to respond,” he said.

He added that the foreign NGO’s would also campaign against the project in their respective countries.

Meanwhile, Himpunan Hijau plans to step up its anti-Lynas campaign.

“We will intensify our efforts,” he said.

Wong said the ongoing nationwide signature campaign against Lynas would continue until the one million target was reached.

The petition would then be presented to the King.

Wong said that the collection station at Dataran Merdeka alone had received 100,000 signatures since the campaign started on Aug 1.

“This does not include signatures at other collection centres.I don’t know how many we have in total yet,” he said.

Wong and other Himpunan Hijau campaigners were collecting signatures in front of the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad building, even as preparations for Merdeka were underway around them.

They were joined briefly in the afternoon by half a dozen DAP MPs and state lawmakers led by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.

Among the other lawmakers were Bukit Bintang MP Foon Kui Lun, Seremban MP Anthony Loke and Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.