Tag: STATEMENT

Press Statement
5 April 2019

1. I refer to the Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof and Lynas’ statements in reference to the Parliamentary Caucus to Monitor Lynas Committee members decisions not to entertain the invitation by Lynas to visit their plant. The statements obviously have the intention to tarnish the credibility and reputations of the caucus’ members.

2. First of all, I wish to state that I have visited the Lynas plant in Gebeng in August 2018.

3. Secondly, I wish to state that I applaud my caucus colleagues stance not to dance to Lynas’ tunes nor entertain their drama.

4. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that DOE, for reasons only they themselves know, has allowed Lynas to store on-site over A MIILION metric tonnes of hazardous scheduled wastes (NUF) which are piled up like mountains, in open air over the last 6 YEARS. The Environmental Quality Act 1974 – Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulation 2005, Rule 9 and 10 clearly state that :

i) ​Scheduled wastes can only be stored on-site, isolated from the biosphere, for a maximum of 180 days at a quantity not exceeding 20 metric tonnes.
ii) ​The date of the schedule wastes are first generated must be clearly labeled..

5. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to question how the radioactive contaminated wastes generated can be accurately quantified from the way it is stored. And if this is not possible, then how do the regulators monitor and ensure compliance to laws on wastes management.

6. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), for reasons only they themselves know, has allowed Lynas to store on-site almost HALF A MILLION metric tonnes of radioactive wastes (WLP) in a flood prone, reclaimed peat swamp area even though the Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations 2011 – Rule 21 clearly states that radioactive wastes cannot be stored in a location that is prone to natural disaster.

7. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that AELB, for reasons only they themselves know, has allowed Lynas to store on-site, massive amounts of the radioactive wastes (WLP) in open air when they are supposed to be isolated from the biosphere.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the main representative body for all registered medical practitioners in Malaysia with over 10,000 members, in a statement issued on 20th July 2011 on Lynas has raised the concern that the method of storing the WLP radiaoctive wastes in open air predispose to radioactive particles dusting the environment, increase the chances of inhalation of such particles by the surrounding community. Radionuclides in air-borne dust inhaled will accummulate in the body, releasing radiation constantly next to the cells which may result in cancer.

There are ten kampungs (communities) located less than 5km from the Lynas plant and approximately 700,000 residents living within a 35km radius.

8. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that Malaysians will not sacrifice a massive piece of our precious land to build Lynas radioactive wastes “TOMB”. We have lost 1km square of land in the pristine Kledang Range near Bukit Merah FOREVER to bury Asian Rare Earth’s (ARE) radioactive wastes. Lynas’ operation is at least ten times bigger that ARE’s.

9. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that our Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohd., in reference to this painful Bukit Merah tragedy has once said,

“Eventually, we agreed to bury this substance (radioactive wastes) in an area which was one square kilometre large. We had to bury it under thick cement to prevent the radiation from affecting people. Malaysia lost one square kilometre of land as the area was still not safe, which also led to losses in terms of areas meant for development. The radiation effects triggered fear among the community, we don't want a repeat of this.” – New Straits Times, 18 September 2018.

10. They do not need to visit Lynas to know that Tun Dr. Mahathir has also said that all promises in the Pakatan Harapan’s Manifesto will be fulfilled. It should be noted that Promise 39 of Pakatan Harapan’s Manifesto is to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

11. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that it does not make any economic sense nor fair to burden our children and future generations with the cost to manage Lynas’ radioactive wastes for possibly billions of years. Not many know that Lynas’ radioactive waste contains Thorium radionuclides which have a half life of 14 billion years. In other words, Lynas’ radioactive wastes is a permanent problem.

12. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that the ASPIRATIONS FOR A CLEAN AND GREEN ENVIRONMENT of the tens of thousands of Malaysians who have “GREENWALK-ED”and participated in Himpunan Hijau’s protest rallies as well as the over a million who have signed the petition calling for the Shut down of Lynas, MUST BE FULFILLED.

13. They do not need to visit the Lynas plant to know that the wellbeing of the people and environment WILL NOT be compromised for profits or FDI.

14. The saddest thing right now is we still have Ministers who are ignorant and supportive of wrongdoings as well as regulators who until today, have failed in their duties to enforce the laws.

15. However, I also confidently know that the majority of my colleagues in Parliament, from both sides of the divide are standing firm with the Rakyat on the Lynas issue.

16. Justice for the people will prevail. U-TURN will not be tolerated.

17. Let’s continue to stand together to realize our aspirations for a GREEN and CORRUPTION-FREE country.

FIGHT ON!

Salam HIJAU.

WONG TACK
Member of Parliament for Bentong
Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus to Monitor Lynas Committee

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PRESS STATEMENT
2 MARCH 2019

WHY GIVE LYNAS 6 MORE MONTHS?

1. On 1st March 2019, The Malaysian Insight reported that Lynas said it may close down their plant in six months after admitting that the conditions imposed by the government for the renewal of its operating licence are “unachievable”.

2. Amanda Lacaze, the CEO of Lynas has finally admitted and confirmed that Lynas is unable to and has no intention to ship their toxic radioactive wastes out of Malaysia. It is now clear that the Letter of Undertaking committing to remove all wastes generated out of Malaysia which Lynas signed in February 2012 as a pre-licence condition was just a farce to mislead the people of Malaysia.

3. So, why are we giving Lynas six more months? So that they can continue with their spins to mislead the people? So that they can continue to generate more of their toxic radioactive wastes which they cannot ship out? So that they can continue to contaminate and pollute our environment and harm our people?

4. For over SIX YEARS the previous corrupt government has allowed Lynas to blatantly violate our country’s laws, rules and regulations. Enough is Enough!

5. Therefore, I strongly urge the Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, Yeo Bee Yin to :

i) immediately issue a stop work order. Not an ounce more of radioactive wastes should be generated on our soil.

ii) order Lynas to pay up the USD50 million security deposit IN FULL BY CASH.
It is appalling to note that Lynas has been allowed by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to pay a substantial amount of the security deposits by bonds. For 2013 and 2014, Lynas has paid a total of USD11.05 million in cash. For 2014-2018, the payments totalling USD31.16 million has been made by BONDS. They have yet to pay the final installment of USD7.79 million which is due this year. I hope AELB can explain why they had bent backwards to allow Lynas the “convenience” to pay by bonds instead of cash? Will the USD31.16 million in bonds become worthless if Lynas closes or goes bankrupt?

6. In 2014, 1.2 million Malaysians signed the petition calling for the shutdown of Lynas. The enormous support for this petition reflects the degree of concern the people of Malaysia has for this issue. Today, I’m sure Malaysians from across the country are grateful to the Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, YB Yeo Bee Yin and members of the Malaysian Cabinet for having the rakyat at heart and protecting the wellbeing of the environment and future generations.

7. Malaysians will never sacrifice a massive piece of our precious land forever to build Lynas’ toxic radioactive wastes tombs. We cannot afford and will not tolerate the repeat of another Bukit Merah toxic radioactive legacy.

8. To all environmentally responsible Malaysians, let’s continue to stand together to ensure Lynas SHUT DOWN, CLEAN UP AND GET OUT OF MALAYSIA!

WONG TACK
Member of Parliament for Bentong

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PRESS STATEMENT
‘ISSUE IMMEDIATE STOP WORK ORDER IN LYNAS! ‘

1. Finally, with a new government and highly capable Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) running this country after May 9th 2018, Lynas can no longer lie to the people. All wrongdoings are now fully exposed.

2. The Lynas plant is situated on reclaimed swamp land with groundwater as close as 1 meter below surface. This area, which receives an annual rainfall of 2,860mm is prone to flooding. The effect is particularly intense during the Northeast monsoon season. This site has been severely flooded twice already in the past and with climate change, the future risks can be worse.

3. There have been serious violations of laws, regulations as well as licensing terms and conditions over the last six years. The people now demands to know who facilitated all the following violations :

i. Our law / licence conditions says the storage area for radioactive waste must be roofed and not located in areas prone to natural disasters. 451,564 metric tonnes of radioactive waste (Water Leached Purification -WLP) were piled up in the open in Lynas’ flood-prone backyard.

ii. Our law says only a maximum of 20 metric tonnes of scheduled wastes can be stored on-site. There are now 1.113 MILLION metric tonnes piled up in the open in Lynas’ backyard.

iii. Our law says scheduled wastes can be stored on-site for SIX MONTHS maximum. 1.113 MILLION metric tonnes are piled up in the open in Lynas’ backyard for the past SIX YEARS.

iv. Our law says all scheduled wastes must be kept in fully covered containers and isolated from the biosphere. Lynas piled them up in the open in their backyard, completely exposed to severe weather.

4. Lynas radioactive wastes must be removed from Malaysia.

i. The approval of Lynas’ operating licence was based on Lynas’ commitment to ship all their wastes out of Malaysia. The Cabinet endorsed joint-ministerial directive clearly stated that Lynas must remove all their wastes, including all products made from it, out of Malaysia, failing which their operating licence will be immediately revoked.

ii. It does not make any economic sense.

a) Large piece of land will be LOST FOREVER . Lynas radioactive wastes contains Thorium which has a half life of 14 billion years. In other words, Lynas’ wastes will remain in the environment forever.

Tun Dr. Mahathir, in reference to Bukit Merah (Mitsubishi’s joint-venture Asian Rare Earth’s radioactive wastes) :

“Eventually, we agreed to bury this substance (radioactive wastes) in an area which was one square kilometre large. We had to bury it under thick cement to prevent the radiation from affecting people. Malaysia lost one square kilometre of land as the area was still not safe, which also led to losses in terms of areas meant for development. The radiation effects triggered fear among the community, we don't want a repeat of this.” – New Straits Times, 18 September 2018.

The amount of Lynas’ radioactive waste generated in six years is already about forty times more than the lifetime amount of Bukit Merah. The lifespan of the Lynas plant is 20 years. How many square kilometres more of precious land do we have to sacrifice to bury Lynas’ wastes?

Malaysia is a small country. Every inch of our land is productive and has high economic and ecological values. We must treasure every inch of it.

b) In Bukit Merah’s case, the long-term management and maintenance of their radioactive waste ‘tomb’ has been handed over to the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) and subsequently the state government. If we allow Lynas to build a PDF, our children for generations to come will have to pay for the management and maintenance of Lynas’ radioactive dump for 14 billion years. It’s unfair, immoral and irresponsible to subject our children to such unnecessary health risks and economic burden.

iii. There should be no double standards. In Australia, Lynas would be required to send the waste back to where it came from ie. Mount Weld for long-term storage immediately after they are produced. No accumulation of waste at the refinery is allowed. Malaysians lives are not cheaper than Australians. Lynas must send their waste back to Australia.

iv. The Earth Charter which is endorsed by UNESCO, states that pollution of any part of the environment must be prevented and no build-up of radioactive, toxic, or other hazardous substances can be allowed. The Earth Charter initiative was championed by our very own former Ambassador Tan Sri Razali Ismail, who has also served as President of the United Nations General Assembly.

5. The people of Malaysia will never allow our country to be the “tong sampah” for Lynas’ radioactive wastes which will destroy a large piece of our precious land forever.

6. In view of all these irregularities and violations, we call upon the Minister of MESTECC to issue an immediate stop-work order against Lynas.

WONG TACK
Member of Parliament for Bentong
15 December 2018

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APPENDIX :
Attachment 1 : Part of the more than 1.5 MILLION metric tonnes of wastes piled up in the open like mountains in Lynas’ backyard, 15-12-2018.
Attachment 2 : Lynas plant sitting on low-lying wetland, 15-12-2018.
Attachment 3 : Radioactive wastes “TOMB” 3km from Bukit Merah. 1km square of pristine forest in the Kledang Range lost and wasted forever.
Photos credit : Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL).

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