Press Statement
5th July 2014
The Malaysian authorities continue to harass the people to protect a foreign corporate colonizer, Lynas.
The fifteen people who were unlawfully arrested during the peaceful ‘622 Shut Down Lynas’ protest demanding the shut down of the toxic and radioactive Lynas’ plant in Gebeng, Kuantan on 22nd June 2014 will be charged at the Kuantan Court at 8.30am, Tuesday 8th July 2014.
We strongly condemn this action by the police who have infringed the fundamental rights of the people to assemble peacefully in public as provided under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. Not only that, the police have also brutally kicked and beaten up (some of them with iron knuckles) some of the people, including those who were arrested even after they were handcuffed ! Until now, no action has been taken against those police personnels who have committed the irresponsible, unacceptable and ‘thug-like’ acts.
This action by the police also reflects another blatant abuse of power by the authorities to protect Lynas Corporation who has until today not been brought to justice even though they have committed all the violations as follows :
1) Does not comply with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
2) Breach the terms and conditions of their Temporary Operating License
3) Does not have a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) in place
4) Did not get the consent of the people before the project is approved. No fully transparent public consultation was conducted.
5) Until today, after the plant has illegally operated for almost two years, there is still no long term plan for the permanent waste disposal for their radioactive waste
6) Continue to lie to the people about the transportation of their radioactive waste out of Malaysia
It is obvious that Lynas now has to rely on violence and harassment to keep their plant operational. But the people will not bow down to harassments and injustice. We will fight with all our might to leave a healthy and safe future for our children.
The fifteen to be charged, made up of ordinary citizens who have courageously stepped forward to exercise their duties to protect their children and country, are as follows :
1. Chong Kong Yuen
2. Hew Kuan Yau
3. Lee Khai Ming
4. Rapar bin Ahmad
5. Raymond Ng bin Abdullah
6. Ta Weng Seng
7. Tan Chee hooi
8. Thomas Wang
9. Wong Tack
10. Zamri b Zanal
11. Phua Kia Yaw
12. Ho Kam Huat
13. Foong Poh Choo
14. Wong Chee Wai
15. Wong Chee Wen
Issued by,
The Steering committee of Himpunan Hijau