Gerakan slams govt over Lynas licence renewal, Wong Tack to fight on

PETALING JAYA: Gerakan has slammed the Pakatan Harapan government for renewing Lynas' operating licence.

Its president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai said that the new conditions imposed was a formality and that Lynas would continue operating in Malaysia.

It was reported that the government granted the rare earth materials producer another six months to present its permanent disposal facility (PDF) plan to store its radioactive waste.

"The rare earth waste will remain in Malaysia forever, posing a threat to future generations.

"Which country is willing to accept these toxic rare earth waste?" he asked.

He said if Wong Tack was sincere in opposing Lynas, he should immediately resign as an MP.

Meanwhile, Wong said it was not acceptable to grant the rare earth materials producer another six months to present its PDF plan when it had not been able to come up with one after years in operation.

"The conditions are also ambiguous.

"What happens if Lynas is not able to identify a PDF site after six months?

"We also want to know when Lynas will construct the PDF and how much time will be given for them to do so.

"We want the Atomic Energy Licensing Board or the minister to come forward and tell the people clearly how they intend to deal with Lynas' waste, " he said on Friday (Aug 16).

When asked whether he had spoken to Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin about this, Wong said he already pointed the matter out to her but had yet to receive a response.