Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar said the government understands and recognizes many concerns but opportunities have to be given to this industry and the National Mineral and Geoscience Department to conduct research before any of the best measures are taken.

As in Kuantan and so on, we can improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), its priority is to the safety of the environment and the community as well as how to improve our country's revenue.

"Because other countries do not, that does not mean Malaysia can not do it, we follow the laws that we have with strict rules and are still implemented. The progress of this country is in our hands, ensuring our economy but we also give attention to the community in the future, "he said.

Xavier said this when the questions of the minister in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He answered an additional question by Wong Tack (PH-Bentong) who wanted to know why Malaysia needs to have rare earth processing plants like in Kuantan where developed countries rich in mineral resources such as the United States and Japan do not have it.

Meanwhile, Xavier explained that the Cabinet will make a statement in the near future about the next decision on the Lynas plant issue in Kuantan.

"Discussions and public dialogues have been done in the Lynas issue, we have resolved what we will do about Lynas and the Cabinet will also make a statement in the near future.


"But if we want to develop our country, Lynas can be an example, if there is a better system to apply, I do not think there is any problem for what we want to do. We have to have an open mind for this industry in our country for the future, we are doing with international studies as well as with local universities to provide the best system, "he said.

He was responding to additional questions from Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) who wanted to know the government's guarantee of health risks including cancer to the community when the Lynas plant was allowed to operate.