High Court Denied Lynas’ the Injunction to Gag SMSL

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)
High Court Denied Lynas’ the Injunction to Gag SMSL

 July 27th, 2012

SMSL was pleased that the Kuala Lumpur high court has rejected Lynas’ second attempt to get a court injunction to gag SMSL yesterday. Over a hundred concerned citizens consisting of Kuantan residents, supporters from interstates and civil society organisation’s representatives congregated at the high court vicinity peacefully with placards and banner in a show of solidarity to express their outrage with the Lynas’ defamation action.

“It is heartening and encouraging seeing justice delivered at this juncture. We are relieved that our freedom of speech to voice our concerns with our own government in the interest of the public and the country is upheld through yesterday’s high court decision.” Lamented Mr Tan Bun Teet, a SMSL spokesperson, a Kuantan resident and a defendant named in the defamation suit.

“Here we are dealing with a world-scale rare earth plant at least ten times bigger than the one in Bukit Merah with hundreds more times hazardous waste. It has been built without any consultation with the public, with lax environmental safeguards and speedy approval processes. What more it is located in a swampy area so close to the sea and the population? We as informed citizens cannot simply sit back and do nothing” Continued Mr Tan

The high court awarded a court cost of RM5,000 to SMSL against Lynas and the court will resume on 14th August to work out details of future trials and hearings.

The fair judgment delivered by Judge John Louis O’Hara is a much welcome gesture of hope for SMSL and concerned Malaysians who have fought hard to stop the Lynas rare earth project since it became widely known for the first time last March through a New York Times article.

Haji Ismail Abu Bakar, another defendant named in the Lynas suit and a Kuantan resident remarked, “many rakyat (citizens) who will be directly and most immediately put at risk once the Lynas plant starts to operate are at no liberty to speak out or to voice their concerns. We breathe a sign of small relief for now but we have a long way to go yet to keep our country safe and clean from toxic pollution.”

Last Thursday on the 19th, the court heard arguments from both Lynas and SMSL counsels. SMSL was represented by senior counsel Datuk Bastian who argued that SMSL acted in the interest of the public in issuing the open letter to the Prime Minister which Lynas alleged is defamatory.

“SMSL will brief its various expert witnesses in Malaysia and overseas in preparation for the trial. SMSL aims to use the trial to reveal information in its possession. We have independent opinions and assessments from various highly qualified professionals. We would like to inform the court and the public of the risks and hazards of the Lynas project to our communities, our livelihoods and the local economy as well as Malaysia as a whole.”

Explained Mr Tan.

Lynas fails to get injunction to gag NGOs

Lynas fails to get injunction to gag NGOs
Aidila Razak • Jul 26, 12 3:14PTG
Rare earth company Lynas Corporation today failed in its bid to gag NGO Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) from making public statements against it.


In his judgement Justice Louis O Hara said that the evidence presented before him was "insufficient" to grant the injunction."At this preliminary stage...it is not required for the court to give a definitive decision (on whether there is defamation) without hearing all the evidence."With defence of qualified privilege and fair comment having been pleaded, I'm not satisfied that the affidavit evidence before me is sufficient," the Kuala Lumpur High Court judge said.
The application was dismissed with cost of RM5,000.

Justice O' Hara found that public interest is a "relevant and weighty" defence as the public has the right to know.

Victory for freedom of speech
Speaking to reporters later, SMSL's lawyer Bastian Vendargon said that the decision can be seen as a victory for freedom of speech.

"When he says he is upholding all cases before this, he is careful not to interfere with freedom of speech," he said.

Commenting on the decision, SMSL leader Tan Bun Teet (left) who was at the court house with more than 100 supporters from Kuantan, Pahang, said it was a "small victory" for their struggle."All this while we were speaking out of public interest and not for ulterior motives or personal gain," he said."We hope that in the suit proper (the defamation trial), the whole world would know whatever comments on Lynas and statements on its effects on the community nearby, are true."He added that SMSL will now launch a nationwide tour to educate the public on the alleged dangers of the Lynas Advance Material Plant for rare earth refining, at Gebeng, near Kuantan.
Bun Teet also revealed that he and two other activists, in their capacity as Kuantan residents, are planning to file a judicial review at the Kuantan High Court against the award of the temporary operating licence for the rare earth plant by the Atomic Energy Licencing Board.

Vice chairperson Ismail Abu Bakar and two other Kuantan residents will also file a judicial review at the Kuantan High Court against the Minister of Science and Technology Maxmimus Ongkili, on his decision to reject their appeal on the Lynas TOL.

Giant wounded
Also present was NGO Komas representative Tan Jo Hann who said that today SMSL had "wounded a big giant" which it will finally kill.

On April 19, Lynas Corporation of Sydney, Australia, and Lynas Malaysia filed the suit against SMSL Sdn Bhd and its two directors, Tan Bun Teet and Lim Sow Teow, and three volunteers Hang Chong Leung, Lee Chow Fong and Ismail Abu Bakar, over an allegedly defamatory article published on its blog, on Mar 22.

The defamation case is set for case management on Aug 14.Speaking on the case, Bastian said that he has expressed intention to the judge that he will apply for the case to be transferred to the Kuantan High Court for the convenience of the parties, most of whom are based in Pahang.He will file the application, as well as another application for the court to compel Lynas to provide the defendants with sought documents, next week.

Lynas gagal peroleh injunksi ke atas NGO

Lynas gagal peroleh injunksi ke atas NGO

Aidila Razak • Jul 26, 12 4:07PTG

Syarikat nadir bumi Lynas Corporation hari ini gagal dalam usahanya untuk menghalang NGO Save Malaysia Stop Lynas daripada membuat kenyataan umum ke atasnya.

Hakim Datuk John Louis O Hara berkata bukti yang dikemukakan di hadapannya “tidak memadai” untuk mendapatkan injunksi.Katanya, pada peringkat awal ini, mahkamah tidak perlu memberi keputusan muktamad sama ada wujud fitnah, tanpa mendengar kesemua bukti.

Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur itu berkata, bukti afidavit yang dikemukakan di hadapannya tidak memadai, memandangkan pembelaan telah mengemukakan rayuan perlidungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang wajar.

法庭指莱纳斯证据说服力弱 拯救大马六造逃过封口厄运

法庭指莱纳斯证据说服力弱

拯救大马六造逃过封口厄运 

李龙辉 • Jul 26, 12 2:59PTG
即时新闻

吉隆坡高庭今日驳回莱纳斯禁止“拯救大马”委员会等6造，发表涉嫌诽谤声明与文章的禁令申请。

承审法官约翰奥哈拉（John Louis O'Hara）表示，起诉人现阶段所提呈的证据，无法说服力法庭发出禁令，因此作出上述裁决。

“基于答辩人的有条件特权（qualified privilege）和‘合理评论’主张，我不认同（申方）宣誓书所提出的证据是充分的。”

莱纳斯于今年4月起诉“拯救大马”委员会、该委员会主席陈文德（64岁）和成员林绍桃（80岁），在一封致给首相纳吉的公开信中，含有不实与误导的成分。

尔后，莱纳斯也将该委会三名志愿人士方宗良（28岁）、李彩兹（48岁）及依斯迈阿布巴卡（Ismail Abu Bakar）列为此案第4至第6答辩人。

726 - Defend the right for freedom of speech!

SMSL to Fight ON - No decision Yet on Lynas’ Defamation Injunction

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)
SMSL to Fight ON - No decision Yet on Lynas’ Defamation Injunction
July 20th, 2012

 

Yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur high court, Judge John Louis O’Hara set the judgment date for the defamation injunction application from Lynas to next Thursday 26th July. The court heard arguments from both Lynas and SMSL counsels. SMSL was represented by senior counsel Datuk Bastian who defended SMSL’s rights to raise issues of public interest.

Mr Tan Bun Teet, the spokesperson for SMSL and a defendant named in the Lynas writ commented, “In any democracy, citizens have the rights to voice out. Here we are dealing with the world’s biggest rare earth plant which was built without any consultation with the public, located in a swampy area so close to the sea and the population. We as informed and concerned citizens cannot simply sit back and do nothing.”

SMSL was joined by 90 concerned citizens, including one bus-load of very enthusiastic and committed supporters from the southern state of Johor. Many who attended the court hearing yesterday had been there for the third time in the last couple of months. They felt very strongly about Lynas attempting to gag citizens from raising issues of national and public interests.

“SMSL has been given a clear mandate by our members and supporters to fight Lynas till the end. This is a David and Goliath battle. We will take all appropriate steps to make sure that we pursue every possible avenue available to keep our country clean and safe for now and for the future.” Mr Tan concluded.

In a recent International Business Times (IBT) article, it was misreported that SMSL has apologised to the Lynas Corporation and has retracted a statement made about its rare earth refinery plant. Accessed athttp://au.ibtimes.com/articles/363755/20120717/malaysia-rare-earths.htm#.UAYv8dV0xVv

This news story is erroneous and factually incorrect because SMSL has made NO such apology or retraction. SMSL is determined to and will continue to defend the rights of citizens to free speech, to campaign for a clean and safe future for our family and our country.

SMSL Will FIGHT Lynas Till The End

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)
SMSL Will FIGHT Lynas Till The End
July 18, 2012

In a recent International Business Times (IBT) article, it was misreported that SMSL has apologised to the Lynas Corporation and has retracted a statement made about its rare earth refinery plant. Accessed at http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/363755/20120717/malaysia-rare-earths.htm#.UAYv8dV0xVv

This news story is erroneous and factually incorrect because SMSL has made NO
such apology or retraction. SMSL is determined to and will continue to defend the
rights of citizens to free speech, to campaign for a clean and safe future for our
family and our country.

Mr Tan Bun Teet, the spokesperson for SMSL said, “I have written to the Editor
of IBT to seek an immediate public apology and to correct the article. The IBT
journalist should have contacted SMSL about it before putting the story out.”

SMSL is committed to fighting Lynas until the end, including the Lynas defamation
suit. It is the online news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that has chosen to
apologise to Lynas and retracted the so-claimed defamatory statement. Its action
has no bearing or any association with SMSL’s current or future direction on the Stop
Lynas campaign.

“SMSL will take up the relevant legal action against the IBT if no apology is
forthcoming by the end of today and if no retraction is made. SMSL will also lodge
a complaint with the Australian Journalists Association which is strict on journalistic
ethics and professionalism.” Added Mr Tan.

“SMSL remained firmed on our stance and our statements about the Lynas rare
earth plant because we have reliable information and relevant professional experts
to back up our statements in court.” He asserted.

Towards this end, SMSL is highly appreciative of the strong spirit of solidarity and
support demonstrated by civil society groups and concerned individuals all over
Malaysia and overseas.

The Lynas rare earth project is not just a Kuantan issue as it will affect the whole
nation. We should always be mindful of that.

The 12-year tax break granted to the project is the most ludicrous political decision
the government has made.

Tax payers and citizens expect a Government to exercise its duty of care to ensure
a nation's well beings and long-term future are secured not to subject citizens to the
risks of Lynas’ radiation and toxic waste.

SMSL and concerned citizens will converge at the Kuala Lumpur High court
tomorrow 19th July from 3.30pm onwards to await the court decision on Lynas’
defamation application.

“We welcome any concerned Malaysians to come along to show Lynas that we are
a proud people with integrity and courage. Join us in our fight against the risks and
hazards of the world’s largest rare earth plant.”

SMSL made NO apology to Lynas - We will FIGHT till the end!

In a recent International Business Times (IBT) article, it was misreported that SMSL has apologised to Lynas and has retracted a statement made about its rare earth refinery plant.

This news story is erroneous and factually incorrect because SMSL has made NO such apology or retraction.  SMSL is determined to and will continue to defend the rights of citizens to free speech, to campaign for a clean and safe future for our family and our country.

Mr Tan Bun Teet representing SMSL has written to the Editor of the IBT seeking a public apology and immediate correction to the article.  SMSL will take up legal action against the IBT if no apology and retraction is made.  SMSL will also lodge a complaint with the Australian Journalists Association which is strict on journalistic ethics and professionalism.

SMSL is committed to fighting Lynas until the end, including its defamation suit. It is the online news portal Free Malaysia Today that has chosen to apologise to Lynas and retracted the so-claimed defamatory statement.  Its action has no bearing nor association with SMSL’s current or future direction.

SMSL remained firmed on our stance and our statements about the Lynas rare earth plant because we have reliable information and relevant professional experts to back up our statements in court.

Towards this end, SMSL is highly appreciative of the strong spirit of solidarity and support demonstrated by civil society groups and concerned individuals all over Malaysia and overseas.  

The Lynas rare earth project is not just a Kuantan issue as it will affect the whole nation.  No one should tolerate a foreign company building a risky plant of the scale and size in a developing country with limited capacity to monitor, assess and managed.

The 12-year tax break granted to a project in exchange for a massive amount of hazardous and radioactive waste to contaminate Malaysia forever is a last straw on a camel's back for us.  This is the most ludicrous political decision the government has made.

Tax payers and citizens expect a Government to exercise its duty of care to ensure a nation's well beings and long-term future are secured not to subject citizens to the hazards of Lynas’ radiation and toxic waste.

New Dawn of Hopes and New Challenges Ahead

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)
New Dawn of Hopes and New Challenges Ahead
July 17, 2012

SMSL and the people of Kuantan are highly appreciative of the amazing spirit of support and solidarity shown by all the groups which took part in the National Day of Stop Lynas action over the weekend.

“The enthusiasm and the commitments of all of the groups and individuals who have extended their helping hands to make the weekend such a success are inspirational and encouraging.” Expressed Mr Tan Bun Teet, the spokesperson for SMSL, a Kuantan resident and a key leader of the Stop Lynas movement.

“From the bottom of our heart, SMSL team of volunteers who initiated the National Stop Lynas Day of Action would like to give our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to the weekend’s event.  We are deeply touched when we have supporters driving all the way from Endau to Kuantan just to give a donation. For most of us, this is the first time in our life we have acted on an environmental issue.” Continued Mr Tan

A total of 30 locations across 9 states in Malaysia took part in the event.  A mock voting session was carried out in each of these locations delivering a clear verdict that the 20,000 or so concerned Malaysians who pro-actively took part in this national action do not want the Lynas rare earth plant in Malaysia.  In Australia, solidarity actions took place in Sydney, Melbourne Perth and as far as the outback location of Roxby Downs where local anti-nuclear activists were protesting against an expansion of a uranium mine.

Haji Ismail Abu Bakar lamented, “clearly, the government has made a mistake in pushing ahead for the rare earth plant when the strong public opposition remained so strong more than a year since the Lynas project became public knowledge in Malaysia.  It is an indication that the current government has lost touch with the rakyat.”

The National Day of Stop Lynas action and the mock ‘referendum’ are means from which SMSL can develop a strong network of Stop Lynas campaigns throughout Malaysia and in Australia.  The weekend nation-wide effort is a model from which Malaysians can learn to exercise their democratic rights to vote wisely to protect their family, their hard-earned investment and the natural environment of Malaysia.

Mr Tan further commented, “the good turn-out and the positive spirit of the people in these events in so many states offer much hopes for us to keep Malaysia clean and safe.”

“However, the momentum from last weekend has to stretch farther and wider to win the battle between the goodness of decent citizens’ rights to a clean and safe future and the evil of pollution.”

“We have a long way to go yet because the forces of darkness are very powerful.  This Thursday, SMSL has to yet again call for a show of support to be at the KL High Court to await the decision of the judge on Lynas’ defamation court injunction application to gag SMSL from voicing residents and citizens’ concerns about the Lynas rare earth project.” Concluded Mr Tan.

Weekend Nation-wide Stop Lynas Actions

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)
Weekend Nation-wide Stop Lynas Actions
July 16, 2012
**FB event page : https://www.facebook.com/events/416717311707374/
**Statistic : http://www.savemalaysia-stoplynas.blogspot.com/2012/07/714-mock-voting-result-and-statistic.html

Over the weekend, communities throughout 30 locations in Malaysia took part in a National Day of Stop Lynas action to mark their strong objection to the rare earth refinery project near Kuantan. In Australia, solidarity actions took place in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Roxby Downs at an anti-nuclear music festival in the outback arid zone of South Australia. {photographs of the various actions attached}

Sydney says NO to Lynas!

Mr Tan Bun Teet, a spokesperson for SMSL recounted the weekend events, “we are greatly encouraged by the strong support we got from other communities throughout the country and from Australia.  The weekend results have restored many people’s determination to keep fighting the terrible decision made by the government.”

The government’s refusal to acknowledge and take on board citizens’ concerns and strong opposition to the Lynas project despite on-going public protests since the issue became known last March is a slap in the face of democracy.  The Stop Lynas campaign is now the largest ever environmental battle in the country and support from overseas is gaining momentum.

It has certainly compelled many citizens to weigh out their development priority between wealth and the sustainability of the natural environment as well as their health. It has also raised awareness amongst citizens to vote for a party that will secure them a clean and healthy future.  A mock referendum was held in all of the Malaysian locations to prepare people for the next election and to educate people to vote to protect their future.

“An overwhelming 99.9% of the 20,000 over people who were eligible to vote opted for the Lynas project to be stopped.  For so many people to come out to show their opposition, it is a clear indication that Malaysians are ready to vote wisely at the next election.” Said Ram, another spokesperson from SMSL actively involved in the campaign.

Mock vote counting at Kuantan station

The Lynas rare earth refinery plant was constructed without any prior informed consent from local communities and citizens who will be getting the blunt end of the raw deal of permanent pollution risk whilst Lynas will be making a hefty profit tax—free.  Malaysians will be living under the shadow of radiation contamination for ever from the world’s largest rare earth refinery built and managed by a company with no prior experience dealing with the complexity of rare earth pollution.

Worst, this world-scale refinery is situated in a peat swamp area only 3.5km from the South China Sea, an important seafood and tourism hotspot!

“Given the Government’s mishandling and poor management of the Bukit Merah rare earth plant, it is ludicrous that we now have a plant at least ten times bigger with hundreds more times toxic waste to handle.  It is on this basis that we as responsible tax-paying citizens will have to do everything possible to stop this madness.” Concluded Mr Tan

Segamat hardcore supporters!

Huge crowd turned in the Johor Bahru event in solidarity with SMSL

Melbourne - St. Paul Cathdral Court

solidarity event in Perth

From the arid zone of Roxby Downs in South Australia, anti-nuke activists acted in solidarity with the Malaysians on 714 National Day of Stop Lynas

Landslide vote against Lynas in mock referendum

• Landslide vote against Lynas in mock referendum
• Nigel Aw | 10:22PM Jul 14, 2012

Voters in a mock referrendum has overwhelmingly rejected the RM700 million Lynas Advanced Material Plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

 

Organised by NGO Stop Lynas, Save Malaysia (SMSL), the mock voting was carried out in 19 cities and towns across Malaysia.The results, which was announced close to 9pm, saw landslide votes against the rare earth processing plant with some centres having virtually zero vote in support for Lynas.When contacted, SMSL spokesperson Steve Hang said after all ballots have been counted, a total of 20,194 people voted against Lynas, while six were in favour."

 

A total of 28 locations in Malaysia participated but only 19 places held the mock voting. The other areas had signature campaign, pickets and even flash mob," he said.Hang added that an estimated a total of 26,000 people nationwide had participated in the ‘National Day of Stop Lynas Action’.Four cities in Australia had also joined in with their own protest against Lynas, he added.Voting began simultaneously today at around 5pm for most areas in Malaysia while the earliest was in Bukit Merah, Perak where voting took place from 7am to 9am.

 

Bukit Merah was the site of the Asian Rare Earth plant which has been accused of causing an increase of cancer cases in the 1990s among the local populace.Queuing up at the mock voting centres, voters of various age and colour in towns and villages dropped their ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote on Lynas into prepared ballot boxes.'Vote matters'When contacted, SMSL chairperson Tan Bun Teet said the results reflected the sentiments of the people against the controversial plant, which is seen as a crucial facility to break China's stranglehold on the rare earth market.

However, he added that regardless of the results, the mock referendum today was to send to a message to Malaysians about the significance of their votes."Our focus is not actually on how many people voted against or for Lynas. Our focus is teaching people that the vote in their hand counts and really matters.

 

"We hope people who voted today will realise that the act of voting is important to ensure whether we live in a hazard-free environment or do we continue to vote a government that does not care about the welfare of the people," he said.He added that the many locations which conducted the voting today were also afflicted by environmental issues and are part of a network of the green movement.

马澳32城市举办反莱纳斯集会 全国2万人投票反稀仅6票支持

马澳32城市举办反莱纳斯集会
全国2万人投票反稀仅6票支持
王德齐和刘嘉铭 | 2012年7月14日 下午5点38分
晚上10点38分更新拯救大马委员会今日在全国和澳洲32个城市同步发动“714反莱纳斯集会”，并在其中19站举行模拟投票。计票结果不出预料地显示，集会参与者一面倒的拒绝莱纳斯於彭亨州关丹格宾设立稀土厂。

根据将近9点公布的计票结果，总共有2万194人反对莱纳斯稀土厂，只有6票表达支持。

其中，稀土厂所在的关丹是最多人参与，高达4700人投票，其中4696票反对莱纳斯，只有4票支持。

拯救大马委员会发言人方宗良也透露，一些地点更是完全没有支持这项计划的投票。

“大马总共有28个地点参与集会，不过只有19个地点举行模拟投票。其他地方则只是举行签名运动、纠察，甚至是快闪行动。” 【点击观看图片辑】 【点击阅读模拟投票结果】

估计2万6000人参与集会

 

方宗良也估计全国共有2万6000人参与“714反莱纳斯集会”。大多数模拟投票都是在下午5点开始，而身受亚洲稀土厂惨剧之痛的霹雳红坭山则最早开始，从早上7点举行到9点，历时两个小时。除了大马28个城市之外，澳洲4个城市也同样发起本身的集会，来反对莱纳斯。

拯救大马委员会主席陈文德受询时表示，这个成绩显示人民反对稀土厂的情绪。旨在教育人民投票重要性不过，他表示，不管结果如何，今天的模拟公投其实旨在提醒人民，其手中一票的重要性。“我们注重的不是多少人投票支持或反对莱纳斯，我们注重的是教育人民，他们手中的一票真的重要。”

“我们希望今天投票的人能够意识到投票非常重要，能够决定我们活在一个没有公害的环境，还是我们会继续支持一个不在乎人民福祉的政府。”他补充，许多今天举行投票的地点都同样面对本身的环境公害问题，同时也是绿色运动的一分子。关丹於柏令冬山举行投票较早时，莱纳斯稀土厂所在的关丹地区，在下午4点30点於柏令冬山开始模拟投票的活动。陈文德在下午5点受询时表示，现场目前已有几百人参与投票，他们预计将在晚上8点开始计票。

“我们的投票很简单，他们到的时候（我们）给一张票，票上面的文字，最重要是他们能够够阅读。上面写着，你手中一票，不曾有过如此的重要，因为你可以通过这一票改朝换代，终止所有污染工业的建设，确保将来更绿化和安全，千万不要小看你手中的一票，让它发挥应有的功能。”“我们共设有两个箱子，一个是支持莱纳斯，一个是反对莱纳斯。民众根据立场把票投进去相关的箱子就是了。”

他们也采取点墨制，以防止有人多次投票。

槟城同时针对明福案投票

 

另一方面，槟州行动党社青团也在当地言论广场举行一项“公正与安全的马来西亚”为题的投票，同时征求民众对设立稀土厂及赵明福冤案的观点。截至下午5点，大约200人已秩序地排队准备投票。主办单位共准备两张选票，供公众表态支持或反对关闭稀土厂及提控牵涉赵明福冤案的反贪污委员会官员上庭。槟城的投票在下午6点就结束。根据主办单位公布的结果，民众一面倒反对稀土厂，同时也要求政府对付涉及明福案的反贪会官员，支持莱纳斯和反对对付反贪会官员的只有1人。反对莱纳斯：738票支持莱纳斯：1票对付反贪会官员：760票不对付反贪会官员：1票

'714' Mock voting result and the statistic

on July 14 2012, Nationwide anti Lynas Day in Malaysia : 

Participating towns: 28

attendance : 30,880 people

Towns which held the mock voting : 20

result : 22,223 anti Lynas vs 9 pro Lynas

Please visit the Facebook event page  in order to obtain the detail.

We thank you very much for all the support given to this campaign.

714 Hari Bertindak Kebangsaan Untuk Menghentikan Lynas

Panggilan Kepada Semua Rakyat Malaysia Untuk Menegakkan Hak Anda Untuk Masa Depan yang Bersih dan  714 Ialah Hari Bertindak Kebangsaan Untuk  Menghentikan Lynas

Facebook event page : https://www.facebook.com/events/416717311707374/

Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) ingin menyeru kepada semua rakyat yang prihatin, organisasi-organisasi bukan kerajaan dan parti-parti politik untuk berganding bahu menyertai dan menyokong kami  untuk menunjukkan kepada Kerajaan bahawa rakyat Malaysia mahukan masa depan yang bersih dan selamat.

Bersama-sama dengan kami  lah untuk membuktikan kepada Kerajaan bahawa anda akan berdiri  dengan teguh untuk mempertahankan hak-hak anda, untuk melindungi pelaburan anda dan keluarga anda untuk membina negara yang kuat, sihat dan bersih untuk seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

Setiap daripada kita telah bersungguh-sungguh dan bekerja keras untuk membina kehidupan kita; untuk mengadakan peruntukan bagi keluarga kita. Setiap hari, berjuta-juta penduduk biasa, rakyat Malaysia-muda dan tua dan wanita, kanak-kanak  dan dewasa, lelaki dan perempuan berusaha untuk memperbaiki kehidupan kita melalui kerjaya  kita, perniagaan kita, kajian kita, keluarga kita dan rakan-rakankita.

Kita telah banyak melaburkan masakita, tenaga kita dan wang ringgit untuk membina kehidupan kita, keluarga kita, pekerjaan kita, perniagaan kita dan menaruh harapan agar  negara kita menjadi  lebih baik dan selamat. Kami mahu menjadi bangga sebagai  rakyat Malaysia!

Namun kini , sebuah  syarikat perlombongan asing dari  Australia, iaitu LynasCorporation mengancam dan menjadi satu halangan kepada  harapan-harapan murni kita, dan bakal merosakkan masa hadapan  kita dengan membina loji pemprosesan nadir bumi terbesar di dunia di pesisir pantai kami - secara asasnya atas dasar bebas cukai!

Kami warga kerja Malaysia, yang juga merupakan pembayar cukai terbesar negara, sekarang kita diminta oleh Kerajaan untuk hidup dengan loji nadir bumi gergasi di persekitaran kediaman kita. Kita perlu untuk melakukan SEGALANYA sehingga kita menghentikannya!!

Jika projek Lynas ini tidak dihentikan, Malaysia akan bakal tercemar dengan imej yang buruk sebagai  tapak perlupusan terbesar di dunia bagi sisa nadir bumi untuk sebuah syarikat Australia yang banyak memperolehi perlindungan dan imuniti dari Kerajaan  berbanding dengan kita rakyat jelata. Kita tidak lagi akan pasti jika makanan laut segar kita masih selamat dari pencemaran sisa nadir bumi kelak,  kita akan was-was jika air yang kita minum masih bersih dan bebas daripada pencemaran dan jika udara yang kita sedut adalah bebas daripada zarah radioaktif atau mana-mana bahan cemar lain.

Apakah ertinya titik peluh dan  kerja keras kita  jika kita akhirnya hidup dalam keadaan ketakutan oleh pencemaran? Kita adalah  warganegara, anak bumi ini,  pembayar cukai di negara ini dan keluarga kita akan meneruskan hidup dengan pengakhiran hidup yang penuh  dengan risiko dan bahaya dari bahan buangan radioaktif Lynas 'selama-lamanya. Malaysia akan menjadi bahan ketawa dunia manakala Lynas dan pemilik-pemilik saham kapitalisnya akan ketawa ke bank sambil mengambil kesempatan meraih keuntungan besar bagi diri mereka pada kebodohan dan  kemurahan hati kita!

Bukit Merah dan tragedi yang dialami oleh penduduk –penduduk tempatan dan pekerja-pekerja kilang Asean Rare Earth adalah dari bentuk  kematian awal; kanser yang terminal, kecacatan kelahiran, keguguran dan pelbagai lagi kes berkaitan kesihatan sehingga ke hari ini - tidak pernah diuruskan oleh Kerajaan. Malah sentiasa dinafikan dan disorokkan fakta-faktanya!

RareEarth Asia Mitsubishi (ARE) kilang ditutup lebih daripada dua puluh tahun yang lalu, namun AELB,selaku  yang pihak berkuasa dan bertanggungjawab bagi kerja-walaupun itu pembersihan yang telah gagal untuk menghapuskan semua sisa toksik yang dibuang oleh loji nadir bumi walaupun AS $ 100 juta kos pembersihan yang telah dibayar oleh Mitsubishi . Hari ini, di persekitaran Bukit Merah dan berhampiran bandaraya Ipoh, timbunan sisa toksik masih tertinggal di mana mereka mencampakkannya, ianya kekal, terus mencemarkan tanah dan air, menimbulkan risiko kesihatan dan bahaya kepada penduduk tempatan yang suatu masa dahulu, hidup tanpa curiga.

Setelah berdepan dengan fakta kegagalan ARE dan pencemaran yang ditinggalkannya, AELB sekali lagi gagal melakukan tindakan yang betul untuk melindungi rakyat yang merupakan pembayar cukai di negara ini, malah AELB telah bertindak untuk mengeluarkan satu lesen operasi kepada Lynas Corporation.Tindakan ini amat mendukacitakan kita rakyat Malaysia yang berharap kepada perlindungan dan penguatkuasaan dari pihak AELB.

Kilang Lynas adalah hakikatnya sepuluh kali lebih besar dari kilang ARE dan  beratus-ratus kali  lebih sisa nadir bumi akan dihasilkan dan ditinggalkan di kawasan padat dari segi alam sekitar dan penduduk sosial Malaysia.

Melalui beberapa siri tindakan yang berbentuk protes oleh SMSL di Pahang dan di Kuala Lumpur, kami telah berjaya mewujudkan beberapa tekanan ke atas kerajaan – iaitu untuk mengenakan syarat-syarat tertentu ke atas Lynas sebelum lesen operasi dapat dikeluarkan. Kelewatan itu telah menyebabkan kerugian yang serius untuk Lynas - sebulan $ 10 juta menurut Lynas.  Ini merupakan suatu pencapaian  bagi kita, tetapi ia tidak cukup baik sehingga loji nadir bumi ini DIHENTIKAN terus!

Jangan sekali-sekali berfikir bahawa  masalah loji nadir bumi Lynas adalah isu Kuantan sahaja. Ia BUKAN. Ia adalah masalah negara dan setiap rakyat yang mempunyai akal harus bertindak, dan menghentikannya sebelum ianya terlambat

Kempen Stop Lynas adalah kempen terbesar dan terkuat pernah disaksikan di Malaysia. Jika kita gagal hari ini untuk menghentikan  Lynas, ia akan memberi Kerajaan kuasa untuk melakukan apa yang mereka suka  tanpa merujuk kepada kita! Tidak mustahil sekiranya nanti kita akan mempunyai loji janakuasa nuklear, kita akan mempunyai estet  petro kimia di Pengerang , dan kita akan menerima lagi  banyak industri yang lebih toksik dan berbahaya berlabuh di pantai-pantai kita! Jika kita tidak berdiri bersama-sama berganding bahu untuk melawan pertempuran besar terhadap Lynas ini sekarang, kita tidak akan mempunyai peluang untuk memenangi mana-mana pertempuran yang lain.

Negara-negara maju tyang lain telah makin mengetatkan undang-undang alam sekitar mereka untuk mengekan pencemaran alam sekitar dan juga untuk menenggani  kerana ancaman perubahan iklim. Mereka iini akan menyebabkan banyak syarikat –syarikat besar yang mencemar memburu  untuk mencari negara-negara yang mereka anggap “syurga longgar undang-undang” untuk meletak pelaburan kotor mereka untuk melarikan diri dari undang-undang yang ketat dan cukai berat di negara mereka sendiri

Kita mahukan  Malaysia menjadi kebanggaan ASEAN, bukan tempat lambakan bagi bahan pencemaran jangka panjang. Langkah pertama untuk kita memulihkan kebanggaan kita dan maruah kita adalah untuk berdiri bersama-sama untuk melawan Lynas.

Marilah kita membuat supaya suara kita didengari dan dan dipatuhi. Marilah kita menunjukkan kepada kerajaan kita bahawa kita adalah manusia yang layak menerima sebagaimana orang-orang yang hidup di negara-negara maju. Kita mahu masa depan kita boleh berbangga, duduk sama rendah dan berdiri sama tinggi dengan mereka yang tinggal di negara-negara maju!

Datang dan bersamalah menyertai kami sebagai SMSL.

714 Calling on all citizens to Stand Up for Your Rights to a Clean and Safe Future

714 National Day of Action to Stop Lynas

Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) calls on all concerned individuals, organisations and political parties to join us in force to show the Government that Malaysians want a clean and safe future.

Join us to show the Government that you will stand up for your rights, to protect your investment and your family to build a strong, healthy and clean nation for all Malaysians.

Each and every one of us have toiled and worked hard to better our life and to provide for our family. We have invested precious time, energy and money to make our home, our family, our work, our businesses and our country better and safer.

Every day, millions of ordinary Malaysians- young and old, men and women, boys and girls strive to better our life at work, at home, at school and at play.

We want to be proud Malaysians and we want to take pride in our effort!

Now, one foreign company, Australia’s Lynas Corporation is threatening to change our hope and contaminate our future by building the world’s biggest rare earth plant on our shore – entirely tax-free!

We the working citizens of Malaysia have been paying taxes to build our nation.  Yet we are now expected to live with a giant rare earth plant.  This is not the deal we have worked for!

If the Lynas project is not stopped, Malaysia will be tarnished with a bad image for housing the world’s biggest rare earth waste dump for an Australian company.

We will no longer be sure if our fresh seafood will be safe enough to eat, if the water we drink will be clean and free from contamination and if the air we breathe in will be free of radioactive particles or any other pollutants.

Our beautiful beaches and the South China Sea may also be ruined.  Who would want to spend their holiday next to the world’s largest rare earth refinery plant?

What is the point of our hard work and investment if in return all we get is living in the shadow of Lynas’ pollution?

Malaysia will be a laughing stock of the world whilst Lynas and its shareholders will be laughing to the bank cashing in their hefty profit on our government’s generosity and foolishness!

Remember - the tragedies endured by the locals and workers at Bukit Merah – from early deaths; from terminal cancer, birth defects, miscarriages and numerous more cases of cancer even until today.  Our Government has failed to prevent that.  The government has done nothing about the health issues affecting the community.

Mitsubishi’s Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plant was shut down more than twenty years ago, yet the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), the authority responsible for the clean-up work has failed to clear away all of the toxic waste dumped by the rare earth plant. This is despite the US$100 million clean-up costs paid for by Mitsubishi. Today, piles of toxic waste are still left where they were ditched, continuing to contaminate the land and the water, posing health risks and hazards to unsuspecting locals.

It is outrageous that even with that failure, the AELB is set to issue an operating licence to Lynas.  By right, the government should carefully clean-up the Bukit Merah mess to protect tax paying citizens and members of the public, not bringing another plant ten times bigger with hundreds of times more waste.  To date, none of the ARE workers were tested for occupational related health issues.

Remember - the Lynas plant is situated in an environmentally and socially sensitive area of Malaysia.

Through our strong Stop Lynas protest actions in Pahang and in Kuala Lumpur, we have managed to create some pressure on the government – to delay the issuing of the operating licence and to institute several inquiries.  According to Lynas, it is losing A$10 million with every month of delay. The battle is not over until the rare earth plant is STOPPED.

The Lynas rare earth plant is a not a Kuantan issue but a national problem which every thinking Malaysian must take responsibility for – to OPPOSE and STOP it before it is too late.

Even though the Stop Lynas campaign is the biggest and strongest ever environmental campaign in Malaysia, we still have a long way to go to STOP IT.  We MUST PERSIST and fight until the end.

If we fail to stop Lynas and if BN return to power at the next election, we will have nuclear power plants, the Pengerang petro-chemical estate, and many more toxic and dangerous industries on our shores!

Malaysians, if we do not stand up together to fight this big battle against Lynas now, we will have little chance of winning any of the others.

Advanced countries have tightened their environmental law to control pollution because of the threat of climate change. They will be many fugitive companies looking for a lax haven to park their dirty investment to escape strict laws and heavy taxes.

Malaysia must be the pride of ASEAN, not a dumping ground for the run-away polluters. The first step for us to reclaim our pride and our dignity is to stand together to FIGHT Lynas.

Let us make our votes count. Let us show our government we are decent human beings as good as those living in advanced countries. We want a future we can be proud of and stand tall to share with our family and friends. 

Come and Join US to Stop Lynas and Save Malaysia NOW!

714 付诸行动, 捍卫家园

我们呼吁所有关心时事的个人，团体及政党 在七月十四日星期六那一天，踊跃出席当天的集会，借以传递与我国政府一个清晰的信息，我国人民要一个安全及绿化的将来！

是时候我们每一个人都站出来，大声的告诉我们的政府，我们绝不惜任何代价捍卫我们辛苦建立起来的家园；我们应有的权利及一个我们能引以为荣的国家！

我们每一个人辛勤的工作，就是为了养家及建立一个美好的将来。

每一天数以百万计的马来西亚人，不分年幼老少，努力的工作；为各自的将来美好生活，注入了毕生的精力与汗水，为我们的事业，家庭，社会 及国家打拼，就是为了能活在一个美好及安全的国度里。我们要成为骄傲的大马子民！

如今，一间来自澳洲的莱纳斯跨国公司，在我国的土地上设立了世界最大的稀土提炼厂；它不止不用缴交分文税务还时时刻刻地威胁着我们的将来！我们身为公民，不只为我们工作所得的收入缴交税务，看来还得与巨大的稀土厂为邻！我们无论如何都得想办法关掉这间厂！

记得 ，若是一旦阻止不了，我国将成为来自澳洲最大的放射性废料弃置国，到时国誉将毁；我们一直以来努力建立起来的一切，将付度东流！我们将 生活在恐惧中，成天不能确定我们吃的海鲜，我们喝的水及吸进的每一口空气是否有受到污染！

生活在如此的氛围中，我们辛苦工作得来的成果，将毫无意义！马来西亚也将成为世界各国的笑柄，而莱纳斯将开怀大笑的从银行里提取大量金钱，扬长而去，同时会情不自禁的嘲笑我们的慷慨与愚蠢！如我们不能终止莱纳斯，这就可能是我们要付出的代价！

霹雳红坭山的悲惨事件，从癌症患者，流产夭折到尚有人罹患绝症的惨痛经验，政府至今从不过问！虽说亚洲稀土厂关闭至今已有20年，被寄与重任的能原局 （AELB）获得了一亿美金供清理该厂遗留下来的有毒废料，至今红坭山，怡保及周遭地区，仍残留着当时被随手遗弃的有毒稀土残渣，持续严重的污染当地的土地与水源,威胁着居住在当地不知情的居民的健康！能原局不止没有有效的执行它应尽的职责，如今它正考虑颁发临时操作执照与莱纳斯！

莱纳斯稀土提炼厂规模大于亚洲稀土厂十倍，它将生产超过亚厂废料总数的百倍，而这些废料将被堆积在具生态敏感的沼泽地带，同时周遭社区居住了过万居民。

拯救大马 （SMSL）经过整年在彭亨及首都不断的举行抗议活动，终于成功逼政府向莱纳斯增设多项附加条件，导致它一再展延生产；根据莱纳斯透露，每展延一个月，它将亏损一千万澳币！虽然战际显赫，离终止它操作仍有一段距离！

确记，莱纳斯稀土厂课题并非只局限于关丹，其实它是每个国民应关注的课题；每个人有必要尽自己的一份力量去阻止它，才不至于为时过晚！

终止莱纳斯运动是我国目前最大与最强的环保运动。一旦失败将让政府进一步为所欲为；接下来核子能发电厂，规模宏大的石化厂及其他剧毒工业，将陆续登陆我国！今天如果我们不齐心协力的站出来反对莱纳斯，我们将无能力绊倒任何其他有毒工业在我国设厂！

先进国正积极限制那些对环境造成污染的工业的设立，因它可能导致气候变化，因此一些高污染的工业，趁机逃离本国。这些‘逃难工业’将逐一的设立在其他较无严峻的法规和较低税务的国家！

我们要把大马变成一个可引以为荣的国家，而不是让它萎靡成任人污染的国度！要踏出这一步，我们有必要先合力把莱纳斯赶出我国！

让我们利用手中的一票，告诉我们的政府，我们不比先进国的人民逊色，我们会为自己塑造一个可以引以为荣的将来！

让我们携手拯救大马，终止莱纳斯！

714 Participating towns in Malaysia & Australia :

Facebook event page : https://www.facebook.com/events/416717311707374/

On Saturday 14^th July  5PM(*a few places on 13^th  and 15^th July at different time), a variety of creative actions will be taken up by concerned citizens, civil society groups and political parties in various states to show their opposition to the Lynas rare earth project in Malaysia.

Mr Tan Bun Teet, the spokesperson for SMSL and a Kuantan resident said,

“Each and every one of us have toiled and worked hard to better our life and to provide for our family.  We are citizens of Malaysia – the rakyat - have been paying taxes to build our nation.  Yet we are now expected to live with a giant rare earth plant that pays no tax.”

“On top of that, Lynas will be leaving behind huge amount of radioactive waste and mountains of contaminated waste sludge.  Our air, our water and our food risk being contaminated by Lynas’ waste discharges.  Several industries may be affected with adverse economic consequences. This is not the deal we have worked for!” added Mr Tan

http://www.savemalaysia-stoplynas.blogspot.com/2012/07/714-national-day-of-stop-lynas-action.html

Participating towns in Malaysia & Australia (*will continue to add on and update venue) : 
MALAYSIA :  
PAHANG :

1. Kuantan 012 9823302 (SMSL Hotline): BUKIT PELINDUNG

2. Temerloh 013 3761328: ESPLANADE TEMERLOH/士曼丹河畔

3. Jerantut 019 9796363: Kedai Kopi Tong Nam Heng,Tmn Intan/东南兴茶餐室，钻石花园

4. Raub 012 928 1819: Sempalit Pasar/Pasar Pagi

5. Triang 016 9351963: Restaurant Hong Him/鸿运茶餐室

 

JOHOR :

6）Segamat 019 718 2008: Padang Kg.Abdullah/亚罗拉大草场

7）Labis 019 780 8686: Dataran Labis/拉美士大草场

8）Jementah 013 728 6994: 利民达大街大树下

9）Muar 012 696 4938: DATARAN TANJUNG EMAS/Tanjung 公园

10) Bekok 019 727 2691: 老街大会堂

11) Yong Peng 019 774 4916: 卫星市巴士车站 

12) Batu Pahat 012 766 7727: Dataran Penggaram Batu/大草场

13）Kluang 016 734 9466: 湖滨公园

14) Simpang Renggan 012 774 2161: Laman Simpang Renggam,Jalan Besar/星光大道

15) J.B Alan 016 784 3830: PLAZA SENTOSA/大丰联和广场

16) Pengarang 017 766 2048: 四海广场

17）Tangkak 012 611 3141: 上海滩酒家大街

 
TERENGGANU :

18. Kuala Terengganu 012 9838826: Ibai Golf & Country Club, Kuala Ibai
 

KELANTAN :

19. Kota Bharu 014 6050111: Padang Merdeka (Padang Bank)

 
PENANG :  
20. Penang 019 4090900: PADANG KOTA LAMA (PENANG ESPLANADE)


PERAK :
21. Ipoh 016 5423118： TMN REKREASI SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ (POLO GROUND)


22. Bkt. Merah 012 5609563; 016 5608500: 715 (July 15 SUNDAY 7AM-9Am) hiking up to  Bukit Kledang, Menglembu, Ipoh

23. Taiping 016 5536244; 019 5552926: Restoran Prima Taiping

 

KUALA LUMPUR & SELANGOR :

24. Bandar Mahkota Cheras 012 2119979: TAMAN TASIK   Bandar Mahkota Cheras 【33-2 Jln Temenggung 9/9, Bdr Mahkota, Cheras Mahkota】

25. Rawang 012 2281410: Kampung Baru Rawang

 
MELAKA :

26. Melaka 017 2762906: 713 (July 13 FRIDAY 7PM-10PM) Musical Concert by Bersih 3.0 & Anti-Lynas Melaka "TOMORROW IS IN YOUR HANDS" at Pay Fong Middle School

27. 714(July 14 SATURDAY 5pm) A’Farmosa Fort (0129823302)




NEGERI SEMBILAN :

28. Seremban 012 3948061: S2 CITY PARK
 
29. Air Itam(NS) 019 5629299:  714 (July 14 SATURDAY 3PM）  Seri Air Hitam 斯里阿逸依淡篮球场



AUSTRALIA :
30. Perth 04 889 100 28 Balmoral Hotel, Victoria Park 715 (July 15 FRIDAY 3PM-5PM）
31. Sydney @ Opera House  714 (July 14 SATURDAY 4.30PM）
32. Melbourne @ St. Paul's Court, Federation Square  714 (July 14 SATURDAY 11.30AM）
33. Roxby Down, South Australia @ Lizard's revenge (July 14 2012)