lynas: resolve safety and health issues first

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsindex.php?id=674496
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KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- PAS has agreed to support the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) project if the issues concerning health, chemical safety and conducting scientific studies are resolved first before issuing a temporary operating licence (TOL) to the company.

The party's conditional agreement was revealed at a news conference held at the parliament lobby today which was attended by three PAS members of parliament, Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (Hulu Langat), Khalid Abdul Samad (Shah Alam) and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor).

Che Rosli said Lynas should carry out laboratory tests to study in depth and scientifically the effluent from the project site to Sungai Balok which could contain chemicals.

"Do the laboratory tests...show (the results) to the community and to us. When all have agreed, then only the issuing of TOL be recommended," said Che Rosli who claimed that the TOL was approved too early.

He suggested that the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) prepare a report on radiation statistics to allay fears over the effects of exposure to radiation like the case of the Asian Rare Earth plant in Bukit Merah, near Ipoh, which was eventually closed.
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