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.