MEDIA STATEMENT BY WONG TACK, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BENTONG ON TUESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2018
Over the past few weeks I have watched all the drama by Lynas with amazement and amusement. They continue to conduct themselves with their kind of corporate behavior which is ingrained with colonialism mentality, resorting to corporate tactics of manipulations, enticements and threats. Profits and gains cloud minds which are devoid of a sense of humanity. We would like to send Lynas a clear message that the rakyat of the new Malaysia will not buy this sort of tactics anymore.
They even have the cheek to ask for a fair, just and transparent review.
“Were they and the previous corrupt regime who allowed them to operate in this country ever fair, just and transparent to the people?
The joint-ministerial statement issued by four ministers namely Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Sri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dato’ Sri Douglas Unggah, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister of Health on 10th December 2012 (as attached), that was about three months after the issuance of a two years Temporary Operating License (TOL) to Lynas, clearly states :
1. The TOL granted to Lynas requires as a specific condition that the company removes all the residue by LAMP out of Malaysia. This include all products made from the residue. The Cabinet has also endorsed this condition.
2. Should Lynas fail to comply with this condition, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) is empowered under Section 22 of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304), to suspend or revoke the TOL and order Lynas to immediately cease operation.
Now, six years on, the people has witnessed a foreign company that is so powerful that they do not need to abide by a directive issued by the Malaysian Cabinet. Lynas’ TOL was not only not revoked but they managed to get their operating licenses renewed twice since then. Today, the tens of thousands of tons of Lynas’s toxic radioactive wastes are still piling up like mountains in the backyard of the 700,000 community of Greater Kuantan.
Lynas, your time was up years ago.
Some people have wondered why I have not been actively responding to Lynas’ games and cheap spins. The reason is very simple.
“Over the past 7 years, were the people not loud enough, said enough, explained enough, and our actions not clear enough?”
The rakyat has installed a new government on May 9th 2018. We are no longer in the opposition. Lynas may not seem to come to terms with this reality yet but the people must come to the realization that the government has changed. Many of those who marched or stood with me on the streets are now my comrades in parliament. And all of them still hold on strongly to the conviction that Lynas must be shut down.
As a member of the new ruling people’s government, I will do my best within my capacity to ensure the people’s aspirations are fulfilled.
So, let’s allow the Executive Committee, relevant agencies and Ministry to go through the due process. I am confident our new Pakatan Harapan government will not allow our country to be used as the dumping ground for foreign radioactive contaminated wastes and subject our people to unnecessary health risks. This government will not disappoint the millions of Malaysians who want Lynas to pack up and sent back to Australia!
Wong Tack.
Link to the attached joint ministerial statement dated 10th December 2012 : http://www.aelb.gov.my/…/doku…/kenyataan-akhbar/10122012.pdf
[vid_url]
Source
