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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