kuantan residents allowed to challenge tol,,,,

Published: Tuesday August 28, 2012 MYT 2:51:00 PM
By SIMON KHOO

Kuantan residents allowed to challenge TOL for Lynas


KUANTAN: The High Court has granted leave to two groups of residents here the right to challenge the decision by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister's not to revoke the temporary operating licence (TOL) for the Lynas rare earth plant.

Justice Mariana Yahya delivered the decision in her chambers when their case was up for a judicial review Tuesday.

The Attorney-General did not object to the leave being granted while lawyers for Lynas opted to stay out until the trial proper.

Lawyers representing both groups were seen entering the chambers at 10.50am before emerging about half an hour later.

Both groups have filed a judicial review seeking leave to challenge the minister's decision and Atomic Energy Licensing Board to grant the TOL to Lynas.

The first group was led by Tan Bun Teet, Syed Talib Syed Sulaiman and Hasimah Ramli and represented by their lead counsel Bastian Vendargon.

Ismail Abu Bakar and Tan Ah Meng represented the second group with their lawyer R.S. Pani.

Outside the courtroom, about 100 people gathered to show their support, wearing the trademark black T-shirt with the words “Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas.”