Tag: STATEMENT

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Media Statement by DAP MP for Bentong Wong Tack on 11 August…


Media Statement by DAP MP for Bentong Wong Tack on 11 August 2018:

No compromise to finding a solution to cyanide pollutionin industrial mining

On 9 August, the concerns of the villagers of Bukit Koman, Raub in Pahang were raised in the first Dewan Rakyat sitting since Pakatan Harapan wrested federal power on May 9.

The answers provided by the Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Dr Xavier Jayakumar have disappointed not only the Bukit Koman’s Ban Cyanide Action Committee but also ignited discontent among many Malaysians that have long followed the struggle of the activists, judging from the views that had been expressed on the social media.

Although the mine has since discontinued its operation, the Bukit Koman residents are still facing a cyanide contaminated gold mine with toxic residues lingering in their surroundings.
As a MP that has made environmental protection and justice as my core business, I, therefore, raised their long-standing worries and longing for a solution to make things right in the august house.

I’d also enquired if the government intend to ban the use of cyanide in the gold mining industry and if indeed the economic benefits from such commercial activities outweigh the cost of a clean environment and public health.

No doubt, the reply from the Minister was disheartening. However, as most of us are still new to the administration of the country, I would like to give the benefits of doubt to the Minister that he was not given the full picture by his officials.

Therefore, I have taken the approach to alert him (in the corridor after the session) by citing a particular misinformed fact with the intention to illustrate the importance for Ministers to verify answers provided by their respective ministries’ official.

As a government backbencher, I believe it is also my duty to work with the ministers to find solutions to our shared problems. But that does not equal to being compromised.

I welcomed the Minister’s intention, conveyed to me in private, that he would be happy to inspect the mine in Bukit Koman to gain first-hand knowledge. The Bentong and Raubparliamentary teams will certainly provide the necessary assistance for the visit should he required it.

Finally, we look forward to work together with the relevant ministries to work towards an acceptable outcome for the Bukit Koman case and the lessons learnt will be applied to ensure that the remaining three mines elsewhere in Pahang will be managed in accordance to the highest sustainability requirements.

Wong Tack


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Press Statement by…


Press Statement by
Wong Tack
Chairperson, Himpunan Hijau
25 February 2018

On 8th July 2014, I together with 14 other green comrades were charged under the Penal Code Act for protesting in front of the toxic radioactive Lynas plant on 22nd June 2014 during Himpunan Hijau’s Shut down Lynas campaign.

Five of us were accused of rioting, with one being slapped with an additional charge of using criminal force to obstruct the duty of a police officer. Ten of us, including myself were charged for failing to disperse in an illegal assembly.

The punishment for these offenses carries an imprisonment term of up to two years or a fine or both.

For almost 4 years, the fifteen of us from across the country were forced to leave our jobs and beloved families to attend the trial in Kuantan.

The pace of the trial had accelerated recently. According to the judge, the HQ is monitoring our case closely and had given directive to conclude the case as soon as possible.

Is it fair to treat us like criminals when the real law violator ‘Lynas’ is given a free hand to do whatever they want on our land?

Is there justice when those who got charged for rioting are not the police, whom in fact are the ones who started the chaos and beat up innocent people?

The trial will continue on 27 & 28 February 2018. I will take the witness stand on the second day, the 28th.

Let’s continue to march forward and fight on. Hidup HIJAU!




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PRESS STATEMENT…


PRESS STATEMENT
by Himpunan Hijau
29 July 2017

Lynas hasn’t changed! Since day one, Lynas, has been lying to the Malaysian people. The recent announcement by the CEO of Lynas, Amanda Lacaze of their so-called success in converting Lynas’ toxic radioactive wastes into farming product clearly shows that Lynas has now gone completely bankrupt in corporate credibility.

“In order to cling on to their last breath, Lynas continues to use cheap lies to cheat their way out of complying with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirement for a Permanent Disposal Facility (PDF)”, said Wong Tack chairperson of Himpunan Hijau.

He added, “It is impossible for Lynas to convert their entire toxic radioactive wastes into any commercial products

If what Lynas claimed is true, wouldn’t this be a major international scientific breakthrough and made world news? Wouldn’t the CEO of Lynas proudly announced it at a world stage rather than at a Hari Raya open house function? Wouldn’t the share price of Lynas immediately shoot through the roof with such significant announcement?”

Our demands to Lynas :

1) Tell us who are the scientists involved in this so-called research? What are their credentials and track records? Which scientific institutions are they attached to?

2) Give us the full report detailing the methodology of their so-called successful R&D in converting toxic radioactive wastes into farming products

3) Organize a public forum to meet and explain to the people, as Amanda had promised 3 years ago but yet to be fulfilled to this date.

“Lynas must stop making all these manipulative statements. Any corrupt practice and cover-ups by any government agencies on this matter will not be tolerated because our children’s well-being is at stake”, said Wong Tack.

– END –




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PRESS STATEMENT…


PRESS STATEMENT
By Himpunan Hijau
12 November 2016

#NIGHTWALK

We call upon people from across the nation to come together on 18 November 2016 to commemorate the sacrifices and suffering that the GreenWalkers have gone through 4 years ago.

“Let’s walk again, this time for BERSIH”, said Wong Tack, chairperson of Himpunan Hijau.

At this critical juncture, when our country is facing the darkest time, when the peoples’ frustration is high and morale is down, we must restore the spirit of the people. We cannot afford to give up now. There’s too much at stake – the wellbeing of our children and the future of this nation.

“We must remember, change doesn’t come easy and it takes time. At times we may move forward a yard, at times just an inch. But as long as we don’t give out, step by step we will reach our destination”, said Wong Tack.

He added, “We may not be able to witness victory in our lifetime but our children will, only if we don’t give out and continue to move forward”.

On the night before the Bersih5 rally in Kuala Lumpur, let’s come together at the majestic mountainside town of Bukit Tinggi, Bentong, which is a mere 30 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of people and hundreds of cars are expected to be there on that night to experience another groundbreaking GREEN for YELLOW initiative.

We have put together a string of programs including performances from local artists, speeches from grassrootenvironmental groups leaders and screening of videos/slideshows. We will then embark on our mission to light up the entire hilly route from Bukit Tinggi to Genting Sempah. We hope this light will illuminate across the country and ‘shine the darkness away’.

“Let’s reignite the flame of hope in our souls and restore strength to the people”, said Wong Tack.

It will be a very spiritual moment for all, especially those who have participated in the Greenwalk. We hope to touch thousands more who have missed it previously and hope they can join us this time.

Details of event :
Date​​ : 18 November 2016
Venue​​ : Bukit Tinggi

Program :
9:00pm ​ Receive the Bersih’s Torch
Performances/ Screening of
video/slideshow/ Speeches
11:00pm ​ Walk from Bukit Tinggi to Genting
Sempah(via old road)
Convoy from Genting Sempah to
Gombak




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MEDIA STATEMENT 29 JULY 2015…


MEDIA STATEMENT 29 JULY 2015

BERSIH 4: The Time Has Come

The time has come for Malaysians to come forward to demand for Prime Minister Najib Razak’s resignation and a host of institutional reforms to put an end to prime-ministerial corruptions since Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s time. All Malaysians are now paying a huge price for the RM42 billion scandal of 1MDB amongst other incidences of corruption, leakages and mismanagement.

Najib has virtually ruled out all possibilities for truth on the 1MDB scandal to be unearthed and criminals to be brought to justice by a series of his political moves on 27 and 28 July:

The abrupt and arguably unconstitutional removal of Attorney General (AG) Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. Since the AG’s Chambers is one of the four agencies of the Special Taskforce on 1MDB investigation, the removal of the AG is a direct interference in the AG Chamber’s work and is meant as a warning signal to the other three agencies: the Police, Bank Negara and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. The constitutionality of such removal — not done on the like grounds and in the like manners as a Federal Court judge — has been rejected or questioned by many parties including the Bar Council.

The co-optation of four out of 13 members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into the administration, namely Chairperson Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (as deputy home minister), Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican (as deputy foreign affairs minister), Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (as deputy tourism and culture minister) and Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (as science, technology and innovation minister). As PAC members cannot be holding executive positions, these appointments are Najib’s unscrupulous plot to disable PAC, the only other public institution which is pursuing the 1MDB scandal with the support of the Auditor General’s Office. The acceptance of executive appointments by Nur Jazlan and his three colleagues is a betrayal of the public trust on PAC to act on 1MDB.

Continued and worsened power concentration through cabinet reshuffle with the retention of the Finance Minister portfolio by Najib himself and the appointment of Zahid Hamidi as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) who continues to hold the Home Minister portfolio. Zahid has just ordered the three-month suspension of The Edge Weekly and The Edge Financial Daily for exposés on the 1MDB scandal. That the PM and DPM simultaneously hold two powerful ministries of Finance and Home Affairs depletes any hope of independent investigations without more attempts to cover up corruption and silence critics.

Holding the view that corruption at the highest level in Malaysia was caused by three malaises, manipulated elections, power concentration at the Executive, and repression of dissents, BERSIH 2.0 demanded 10 institutional reforms:
1. Electoral reform
2. Making the Election Commission a constitutional party answerable to Parliament
3. Barring Prime Minister from simultaneously holding the office of Finance Minister
4. Parliamentary Reform
5. Making MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) answerable to Parliament
6. Separating Attorney General from the role of Public Prosecutor
7. Freedom of Information laws at Federal and State levels
8. Public declaration of Ministers and senior government servants’ assets
9. Repeal of/Amendments to draconian laws
10. Establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)

As immediate measures to restore public confidence in the investigation, BERSIH 2.0 demanded the following four actions:

Najib to make public his bank account details, in particular, clarify if the AmBank accounts existed in his name and, if so, show the transaction details for the dates in question.
Najib to take leave as the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and all other public offices he holds pending investigation.
Najib’s, his spouse’s and his children’s accounts to be frozen.
All findings of investigation by Bank Negara, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Police, and the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 1MDB and related companies to be made public in the fastest time possible.

Najib is taking every possible move to protect corruption. He arrogantly ignores the humble wish of Malaysians for integrity and justice. He has lost every ounce of legitimacy to stay in office.

BERSIH 2.0 is dedicated to an electoral system and system of governance that is free, fair and open. Given the depth of corruption that has been alleged, the allegations that this money was used to manipulate the GE13 and the implication of the highest political office in the land, the credibility of the very institutions of government is at stake. To restore confidence in the processes of government and to allow the continued dynamism of the local economy, the Prime Minister must tender his resignation.

BERSIH 2.0 hereby declares that the Bersih 4 rally will be held on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu from August 29th, 2pm to August 30th. We invite all patriotic Malaysians to join the rally to demand for Najib to step down and the institutional reforms to be implemented so as to end prime-ministerial corruption.

BERSIH 2.0 demands:

1. Clean Elections
2. Clean Governments
3. Save our economy
4. Right to Dissent

Issued by,

The Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0, which consists of –

Chairperson: Maria Chin Abdullah; Deputy Chairperson: Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan; Treasurer: Masjaliza Hamzah; national representatives: Assoc. Prof. Dr Abdul Halim bin Yusof, Farhana binti Abdul Halim, and Fadiah Nadwa Fikri; vice-chairpersons: Jannie Lasimbang (Sabah), Ahmad b. Awang Ali (Sarawak), Abd Halim b. Wan Ismail (East Peninsula), Thomas Fann (South Peninsula), Simon Lee Ying Wai (Central Peninsula) and Dato’ Dr Toh Kin Woon (North Peninsula).
http://www.bersih.org/bersih-4-the-time-has-come/

Grfx credit Fahmi Reza.




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Press Statement…


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




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PRESS STATEMENT, 4th JULY 2013 …


PRESS STATEMENT, 4th JULY 2013

Himpunan Hijau : Ewon Ebin, stop lying to the people!

We may have a new administration and a new minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), but nonetheless the highly deplorable dirty doings continue.

Only a few days ago, Ewon Ebin, the minister of the MOSTI, had said that Lynas can continue their operations because having a temporary radioactive toxic waste storage facility onsite at their Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) is sufficient to comply with the conditions in their Temporary Operating Licence (TOL). And now, in answering to a question posed in parliament earlier today by the MP of Kuantan, Fuziah Salleh, he said he has already received the proposal by Lynas on their permanent waste disposal plan right on the dot of their deadline.

Said Wong Tack, chairperson of Himpunan Hijau, “For the past few days, we have expressed serious concern and condemned Lynas for not complying with the conditions of their TOL. Why didn’t Ewon Ebin respond at that time?

“And now, today, which is already two days after the July 2nd deadline, he responded, and that only when he was queried in parliament.

“Not only that, he came out with a different answer to that of his statement made merely a couple of days ago, which I have no doubt made with the sole intention to protect Lynas. All these while, most elected people’s representatives have never stand on the side of the people. They always act as puppets for corporations for reasons only they themselves know.

“How could he not immediately disclose to the public that he has received the documents from Lynas? Still new on the job but already learnt the dirty doing of working behind close doors. This is a clear display of partnership between politics and dirty businesses”.

Himpunan Hijau wants the Minister of the MOSTI to immediately disclose to the people all documents that he has received from Lynas. The people are not going to tolerate any more tricks and lies from Lynas and this illegitimate government. We want to know how and where Lynas is going to bury their radioactive toxic waste.

“No community across this nation will allow Lynas to bury their massive radioactive toxic waste in their backyard.

“The only thing in the minds of Malaysians right now is how to bury Lynas once and for all!” concluded Wong Tack.

Steering Committee of Himpunan Hijau


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