The Lynas Rare Earth Refinaery Plant has been operating since early December 2012 with the Temporary Operating License by the Malaysian Governing agency/ government despite huge public awareness and opposition.
Please watch the exclusive programme "The Stream" above by Al Jazeera and the views between Nic Curtis- Chairman of Lynas Australia and Tan Bun Teet - Spokeperson for Save Malaysia Stop Lynas Movement in Malaysia. So, this is a fair evaluation and judgement by hearing both sides of the stories straight from the horse' mouth without unnecessary inteference and intepretation from the media.
From the show, we can draw conclusion that Nic-Curtis-Lynas has failed to address to these fundamental issues:
1) The site of the toxic watse produced by the plant in Gebeng, Kuantan- Malaysia? Where will be the final resting place? In Malaysia? in Australia? which country?
2) Why Australia refuses to accept the toxic watse and Malaysia could, if every expert said it is safe?
3) Saying that Malaysia has one of the most stringent enviromental laws and regulations while the actual fact that Malaysia as a developing nation does not take enough significant steps to prevent or mitigate environmental damages in many projects in Malaysia? -A very misleading statement
Therefore, the Malaysian government should not leave any rock or stone unturn in this matter. Government leaders have said that watse from the refinery will be shipped out of Malaysia/ back to Australia/ away from residential area in Malaysia...etc but right until now Lynas makes no accountability and concrete answers to address that. There are simply too much smoke and fog over this project and the outrages 12 years of Tax Exemption!
If the Malaysian goverment continue to refuse to listen to its own citizens (as it is still), then every Malaysian should exercise their constitutional and democratic rights to change a government that loves the environment of this great Motherland of Malaysia and a government that listen to its people and to safeguard the future of its generation.
Vote for Mother Nature, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas!
Therefore, fellow Malaysians, we should rise and defend our motherland from being a dumpsite of toxic waste which Australia and other nations refuse. Protect our land which our forefathers had fought with blood and sweat for our generation today.
Rise up, Speak Up, Stand Up, and Vote for MALAYSIA, Vote for PAKATAN RAKYAT.
Joshua
p/s: I am not trying to politicse the issue or hijack it for the solidarity of the Opposition parties of PKR, PAS or DAP of Malaysia, but we need a government which is committed to protect our Motherland- Malaysia from being a dumpsite of toxic waste which the Australian government and people refused. We simply cannot afford to sacrifice and betray our land and the future generation for the sake of creating 500 jobs and whatever the economical benefits that Malaysia can get out of the 12 Years Tax Free for Lynas. No matter how safe or acceptable the waste can be, if the Australian people do not want it, neither do the Malaysian people.
p/s: I am not trying to politicse the issue or hijack it for the solidarity of the Opposition parties of PKR, PAS or DAP of Malaysia, but we need a government which is committed to protect our Motherland- Malaysia from being a dumpsite of toxic waste which the Australian government and people refused. We simply cannot afford to sacrifice and betray our land and the future generation for the sake of creating 500 jobs and whatever the economical benefits that Malaysia can get out of the 12 Years Tax Free for Lynas. No matter how safe or acceptable the waste can be, if the Australian people do not want it, neither do the Malaysian people.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I do agree with the article you've shared in many ways, especially on evidence-based policy making but how about chronic long-term exposure in 20 years or 30 years time? Any evidence on that? I do not deny the other economical benefits that this technology can provides and also the approaches for conflict from opportunities but I also have not forgetten to read the comments below the article you've shared. Have a nice day :).
Excerpts of comment from the National Geographic published article:
Kai-Lit Phua
Malaysia
3:23 am
The fact remains that
1. Huge amounts of wastes (radioactive wastes, as well as non-radioactive, but still toxic wastes) will be generated
2. No long term waste management plan exists (a major recommendation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team
3. No Permanent Disposal Facility (PDF) has been built (another major recommendation of the IAEA)
4. This project is opposed by the Malaysian Medical Association and the Bar Council (organisation of Malaysian lawyers)
Kai-Lit Phua, PhD
(public health professor)