Redzuan told to zip it, Lynas does not fall under his ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof should not comment on the Lynas issue because the matter does not fall under his ministry, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Fuziah Salleh.

According to Fuziah, the issue of Lynas’ waste management falls under the purview of the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, which is headed by Yeo Bee Yin.

“So, this is nothing to do with the Entrepreneur Development Ministry. This means that he (Redzuan) does not have a locus standi.

“I have the locus standi and I maintain my stance. I hold on to what the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister said,” she told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Monday (April 1).

Last December, Yeo said the management of Lynas should honour its commitment to remove its water leach purification (WLP) residue from Malaysia before the end of its operating licence, which expires Sept 2, 2019.

“It’s not September yet, so we will wait,” said Fuziah.

The Kuantan MP has been particularly vocal against Lynas, and has repeatedly stressed that the radioactive waste should not be allowed to be in Kuantan, as it was harmful to the environment and the people’s health.

Earlier on Monday (April 1), Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said the government wants to cooperate with the Australian government to ensure that waste from Lynas is sent back to where it came from.

If Lynas isn’t able to remove its WLP residue from Malaysia before the end of its operating licence expiry date, Fuziah said the Australian rare earth mining company should not have its operating licence renewed.

“Because that is the precondition. I don’t think they should be allowed to renew the licence if they fail to meet the deadline,” she said.

Fuziah also remained pessimistic about the prospects of Lynas removing its WLP waste, saying that the Australian company lacked such a commitment to do so.

“I don’t see Lynas being committed to do it since day one. I don’t see their commitment to follow and comply, according to Malaysian standards,” she added.

Redzuan caused a storm in Pakatan after he was quoted by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia as saying last Saturday (March 30) that the Lynas factory would not be shut down, which would send a signal that foreign direct investment is welcome in Malaysia.

Earlier on Monday (April 1) in Parliament, Redzuan also said that the government’s decision on Lynas is clear – that it will be allowed to continue operating in Malaysia.

He said that the Pakatan government was a business-friendly government, adding that Lynas’ investment was “too big to ignore”.