Permit papers restricted to avoid 'bigger problems,' says...

Permit papers restricted to avoid 'bigger problems,' says Lynas
16-JAN-2012 Intellasia | Themalaysianinsider
2012-01-16 - 7:00:00 AM
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Lynas Malaysia has refused to distribute copies of the pre-operating licence application for its controversial rare earth plant in Kuantan to prevent the document from being altered and causing "bigger problems" to rectify.

Resident groups opposed to the RM2.5 billion refinery due to fears of radiation pollution have demanded copies of the 293-page document, which is only viewable at four locations nationwide for two weeks until January 17.

"Why not [distribute the application widely]? Because people can take portions of the statement, or alter the numbers, and here we are facing a bigger problem to rectify," Lynas Malaysia managing director Datuk Mashal Ahmad told The Malaysian Insider in an interview today.

When told that members of the public could double-check against a copy of the application if it were available online, Mashal insisted it would result in "another problem to rectify."

"Now, if you want, you can go there (to viewing locations) and read. It's not that thick, you still have plenty of time.

"We follow the normal standards. We are not in the business of selling documents. Sadly people have been talking about Lynas like experts but when the document is in front of them, they say they cannot understand," he said.

Professor Ismail Bahari, the company's radiological safety adviser, also said that requests for copies of the document was not justified as "nobody is reading it" at the viewing locations.

"If all four stations are packed, then you are justified. But if nobody is visiting, it clearly shows they are not interested.

"The issue is you have to understand the subject matter; if not, you can sit there the whole day and you will not learn anything," the former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia radiology professor said.

Local radiation regulators Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) also responded to complaints that members of the public were only allowed one hour to view the application by stating that the limit would not be imposed if there was no one else waiting in line.

Anti-Lynas resident groups sent an open letter to the government today demanding the current public review period be doubled to four weeks and the provision of copies of the application, which Lynas says was revised three times after AELB demanded more information.

"How can a foreign corporation so blatantly undermined Malaysia's sovereignty by dictating to our government to restrict public access to the radioactive waste management plan (RWMP)? Clearly Lynas is not walking the talk in Malaysia," said Andansura Rabu, chair of the Stop Lynas Coalition.

"We are totally shocked by the utter impotency and defensive nature of the government in accepting Lynas's RWMP under such poor conditions and with such restricted public review process," said Save Malaysia Stop Lynas chair Tan Bun Teet.

Lynas Malaysia said today its application for a temporary operating licence meets requirements and, if approved by the government at the end of the month, it can fire up its plant in six weeks.

Putrajaya bowed to public pressure in April, after sustained opposition from local residents and environmentalists, and put the project on ice pending the review by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).