Press Statement
18th August 2019
SMSL to Pursue Legal Actions After the Protest Action
This morning, SMSL was joined by local and interstate protesters in response to the PH Government’s decision to renew the operating licence of Australian owned Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng near Kuantan.
Chairman of SMSL, Mr Tan Bun Teet explained:“We cannot simply stay silent just because we have been betrayed by self-interested politicians who have made decision against Rakyat’s wishes, Malaysia’s future and the health and safety of Rakyat and our environment. As Kuantan residents, we have much to lose for as long as Lynas’ toxic radioactive waste continues to pile up by its plant.”
Lynas’ radioactive waste from its water leach purification (WLP) stream contains a significant amount of long-live radionuclides, namely thorium and uranium, together with a range of heavy metals including lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel – all of which are toxic to humans and can cause cancer when exposed repeatedly over time as the doses can accumulate over one’s life time. Large amount of chemicals is also left in the waste.
Mr Hon Kai Ping, the legal adviser for SMSL said: “Next we will be pursuing legal actions. A responsible Government should uphold our law to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the Rakyat.”
Lynas’ WLP waste is classified as low-level radioactive waste that needs to be stored in 100% water-proof facility to prevent pollution and contamination of the environment. So far, Lynas has left close to 600,000 tonnes of the radioactive waste and over 1.5 million tonnes of scheduled waste (less contaminated but hazardous) in open dam exposed to flooding and gale-force wind. Malaysia’ wet climatic conditions is highly challenging for the safe disposal of cancer-causing radioactive waste.
“Malaysia’s reputation is once again put on the line by allowing a foreign company to continue to generate toxic radioactive waste which nobody wants in their backyard. A team consisting of high calibre legal counsels has just been formed. We will explore avenues to take either the Government and/ or Lynas to the court in the interest of the public.” Mr Hon revealed.
“We trust our own independent experts, both local and international. They are professionals with strong ethics and have provided their advice and expert opinions purely in the interest of the public. Like us, they could not comprehend why a beautiful country like Malaysia is letting Lynas exploit it so blatantly.” Mr Tan concluded.
For further comments, please contact:
Mr Tan Bun Teet - Hp: +60 179 730 576
Mr Hon Kai Ping - +60 112 544 7356
Monday, 19 August 2019
https://www.facebook.com/84hotspot/videos/1666691786794430/
▌热点影音▐ 运作7年，莱纳斯囤积的废料到底有多惊人？热点团队实地走访关丹，带你直击据说是莱纳斯“后花园”的“废料山”！
热点站主 | Jenny 怡静
#莱纳斯 #废料山 #秘密后花园 #永久储存槽
#发射热点 #84hotspot #热点影音
▌热点影音▐ 运作7年，莱纳斯囤积的废料到底有多惊人？热点团队实地走访关丹，带你直击据说是莱纳斯“后花园”的“废料山”！
热点站主 | Jenny 怡静
#莱纳斯 #废料山 #秘密后花园 #永久储存槽
#发射热点 #84hotspot #热点影音
https://www.bfm.my/podcast/morning-run/morning-brief/mb-tan-bun-teet-save-malaysia-stop-lynas-lynas-no-nobel-prize?fbclid=IwAR242ojvcliu5k70cXC2uoHRdK7kWqmWnQfCM_P-prdeFFqMf5Mfdxo63sg
Lynas - No Nobel Prize
Tan Bun Teet, Chairman, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas
19-Aug-19 07:45
Download
Embed
Following the announcement that Lynas Malaysia has been given a 6-month license renewal to operate in the country, some 500 demonstrators turned out in protests in Taman Gelora, Kuantan. We speak to Tan Bun Teet, Chairman, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas about some of the conditions surrounding Lynas's license renewal, and why there have been allegations that these conditions favour Lynas.
Presented by: Lyn Mak, Wong Shou Ning, Sharidz Abdullah
Lynas - No Nobel Prize
Tan Bun Teet, Chairman, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas
19-Aug-19 07:45
Download
Embed
Following the announcement that Lynas Malaysia has been given a 6-month license renewal to operate in the country, some 500 demonstrators turned out in protests in Taman Gelora, Kuantan. We speak to Tan Bun Teet, Chairman, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas about some of the conditions surrounding Lynas's license renewal, and why there have been allegations that these conditions favour Lynas.
Presented by: Lyn Mak, Wong Shou Ning, Sharidz Abdullah
Sunday, 18 August 2019
https://www.mariammokhtar.com/bukit-merah-a-photo-essay-from-a-concerned-citizens-facebook-the-photos-and-their-captions-tell-a-terrifying-story-of-government-irresponsibility-and-greed/?fbclid=IwAR2ZbevekydBWN_vHQLnaiAjPYYsFewds62FelnzQrA4DjdzPcjT47UxuJA
Bukit Merah. A photo essay from a concerned citizen’s facebook. The photos and their captions tell a terrifying story of government irresponsibility and greed.
By Mariam Mokhtar
14 August, 2019
No Comments
This write-up was found on facebook. I am unable to verify the source, but the person who wrote it has requested that we share his story. Those who have knowledge may be able to ascertain the veracity of the events, to enlighten us.
Reject Lynas!
Thank you
The story & photos behind the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) scandal in Bukit Merah, Perak [36 photos]
March 11, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Sumber cerita bergambar : Lessons from radioactive poisoning in Bukit Merah: A Photo Essay
* * * * * * *
Berikut adalah kronologi penetangan Asian Rare Earth (ARE) di Bukit Merah, Ipoh sehingga penutupannya pada 19 Januari, 1994. Anda rakyat prihatin. Selamatkan generasi masa depan kita. Bersuaralah dan hentikan pemprosesan ‘rare earth’ di Kuantan sebelum terlambat.
1979 (masa ni Hussein Onn PM)
November: Syarikat Asian Rare Earth (ARE) dibentuk untuk mengekstrak itrium ( sejenis unsur nadir bumi) daripada monazit. Pemegang saham utamanya ialah Mitsubishi Chemical Industries Ltd (35%), Beh Minerals (35%), Lembaga Urusan dan Tabung Haji (20%) dan beberapa peniaga bumiputera (10%). Pihak ARE telah mendapatkan pandangan dari Pusat Penyelidikan Atom Tun Dr. Ismail (Puspati), Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar mengenai sisa buangan radioaktif yang dihasilkan melalui pemerosesan monazit. Adalah diputuskan, sisa buangan itu yang menjadi milik kerajaan Negeri Perak akan disimpan kerana berpotensi sebagai sumber tenaga nuklear.
1982 (tahun pertama Mahathir jadi PM)
11 Mei : Gua lahir ke dunia (ya, ini juga sejarah)
Jun: Penduduk Parit, Perak mendapat tahu kerajaan telah memilih kawasan seluas sembilan ekar, kira-kira 6 km dari penempatan mereka untuk dijadikan tapak penimbunan sisa radioaktif syarikat ARE.
30 Jun: Ekoran bantahan hebat daripada jawatankuasa penduduk serta lain-lain pertubuhan politik dan sosial, kerajaan membatalkan cadangan itu dan kemudian mula mencari tapak baru.
11 Julai: Kilang ARE mula beroperasi di KM 7.2, Jalan Lahat di Bukit Merah.
1983
November: Penduduk Papan (kira-kira 16 km dari Ipoh) mendapat tahu ARE sedang mengorek lubang berhampiran tempat kediaman mereka untuk dijadikan tapak buangan sisa radioaktif. Tapak itu merupakan pilihan kerajaan
1984
24 Mei: Kira-kira 6,700 penduduk Papan dan pekan-pekan yang berhampiran menandatangani satu surat bantahan dan menghantarnya kepada Perdana Menteri, Menteri Besar Perak, Menteri Kesihatan serta Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar.
31 Mei: Seramai 200 penduduk Papan membantah tapak pembuangan yang dicadangkan. Mereka menyekat jalan yang menuju ke tapak itu.
5 Jun: Perdana Menteri berkata, kerajaan telah mengambil segala langkah berjaga-jaga untuk memastikan keselamatannya dan menegaskan pembinaan tapak buangan radioaktif di Papan akan diteruskan.
18 Jun: Kira-kira 300 penduduk Papan sekali lagi mengadakan tunjuk perasaan sebagai membantah tapak buangan yang dicadangkan.
28 Jun: Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Amar Stephen Yong berkata, tapak buangan Papan adalah selamat kerana dibina mengikut piawaian yang ketat. Beliau mencabar pengkritik supaya membuktikan tapak itu boleh mengancam kesihatan dan alam sekitar. Sementara itu, ARE meneruskan operasinya dengan menimbun sisa torium di sebuah kawasan terbuka dan kolam berhampiran kilang itu.
1 Julai: Kira-kira 3,000 penduduk termasuk wanita dan kanak-kanak mengadakan tunjuk perasaan secara aman sebagai membantah tapak buangan tersebut.
4 Julai: Seramai 2,000 orang penduduk terus mengadakan tunjuk perasaan meskipun Ketua Polis Perak memberi arahan supaya bersurai.
18 Julai: Pembentukan Jawatankuasa Bertindak Bukit Merah, terdiri daripada penduduk Bukit Merah, Lahat, Menglembu dan Taman Badri Shah, sebagai tanda sokongan kepada penduduk Papan. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) menghantar satu memorandum kepada Perdana Menteri memaklumkan paras radiasi yang tinggi telah dikesan dikawasan kolam terbuka berhampiran kilang ARE di Bukit Merah. Satu bacaan yang dicatat oleh pegawai-pegawai SAM sewaktu berkunjung ke situ ialah 43,800 milirem/tahun. Paras ini melebihi 88 kali paras maksimum yang ditetapkan oleh Suruhanjaya Antarabangsa bagi Perlindungan Radiologi (ICRP) untuk orang ramai.
29 Ogos: Michael O ‘Riordan dari Lembaga Perlindungan Radiologi Kebangsaan British dijemput oleh kerajaan untuk memeriksa tapak buangan toksik di Papan.
19 September: Sekumpulan tiga orang dari Agensi Tenaga Atom Antarabangsa (IAEA) Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu mengunjugi tapak buangan di Papan atas jemputan kerajaan Malaysia. Mereka mengisytiharkan tapak buangan itu tidak selamat.
5 Oktober: Dr William Cannell, seorang ahli fizik dan penganalisis kesihatan menerima jemputan penduduk Papan untuk melawat tapak buangan tersebut. Hasil pemerhatian beliau mendapati kerja-kerja kejuruteraan yang dijalankan oleh syarikat terbabit sangat buruk.
21 Oktober: Seorang pakar dari Amerika dan bekas ahli jawatankuasa Akademi Sains Kebangsaan Amerika bagi kesan-kesan Biologi Radiasi Mengion (BEIR), Dr Edward Radford, atas jemputan penduduk Papan, membuat tinjauan di tapak buangan sisa itu. Beliau dapati tapak itu tidak sesuai sementara lubang-lubang yang digali mempunyai dinding yang nipis atau sudah merekah.
7 November: Seorang pakar buangan sisa industri dari Jepun, Dr. Jun Ui, menerima jemputan penduduk Papan untuk memeriksa tapak buangan ARE. Beliau juga mendapati tapak itu tidak sesuai dijadikan kawasan penimbunan sisa berbahaya.
28 November: Kabinet membincangkan laporan-laporan yang diserahkan oleh dua badan kawalan. Laporan yang dikemukan oleh Lembaga Perlindungan Radiologi Kebangsaan British (NRPB) berkata, penduduk hanya akan selamat jika faktor-faktor tertentu diberi perhatian oleh kerajaan Perak dan syarikat ARE. Laporan kedua oleh IAEA pula berkata, lubang-lubang yang dibina tidak memenuhi syarat-syarat yang ditetapkan.
9 Disember: Lebih 1,500 penduduk di Papan mengadakan mogok lapar selama sehari sebagai membantah keputusan kerajaan untuk meneruskan rancangan menempatkan tapak buangan sisa di Papan. Penduduk Bukit Merah membawa masuk seorang pakar radiasi dan genetik dari Jepun, Profesor Sadao Ichikawa untuk mengukur paras radiasi di kawasan terbuka dan kolam berhampiran kilang ARE. Beliau dapati paras radiasi di situ terlalu tinggi malah paras tertinggi yang dicatatkan melebihi 800 kali paras yang dibenarkan.
12 Disember: Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Musa Hitam menunjukkan minat secara peribadi terhadap perkembangan isu Papan ini. Beliau mengunjungi tapak buangan tersebut.
1985
11 Januari: Selepas mesyuarat kabinet yang dipengerusikan oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri ketika itu, Datuk Musa Hitam, kerajaan mengambil keputusan memindahkan tapak buangan sisa ke Mukim Belanja di Banjaran Kledang yang terletak kira-kira 5 km dari Papan dan 3 km dari Menglembu.
1 Februari: Lapan orang penduduk, bagi pihak diri mereka sendiri dan penduduk Bukit Merah membuat satu permohonan di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh menahan ARE daripada mengeluar, menyimpan atau menimbun sisa radioaktif di sekitar kampung tersebut.
Akta Perlesenan Tenaga Atom 1984 dikuatkuasakan. Ia memastikan pengendali bahagian pemasangan nuklear (termasuk kerajaan) bertanggungjawab terhadap ancaman nuklear. Lima ahli Lembaga Perlesenan Tenaga Atom (AELB) dibentuk di bawah Akta itu, dengan perwakilan dari Puspati, Kementerian Kesihatan serta Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar.
14 Oktober: Hakim Anuar Datuk Zainal Abidin di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh memberikan kepada penduduk Bukit Merah perintah menahan dan menghentikan ARE daripada mengeluar dan menimbun bahan sisa radioaktif sehingga langkah-langkah keselamatan yang secukupnya diambil. Lebih daripada 1,500 penduduk Bukit Merah hadir di mahkamah untuk mendengar keputusan itu.
1986
22 September: ARE mendakwa ia telah membelanjakan lebih RM2 juta untuk meningkatkan langkah-langkah keselamatan (sepertimana yang dikehendaki oleh perintah mahkamah), diikuti oleh piawaian IAEA. Ia menjemput pakar tenaga atom dari Amerika, Dr E.E. Fowler (Bekas kakitangan IAEA) untuk mengunjungi kilang berkenaan. Menurut beliau, paras radiasi berhampiran kawasan pembuangan yang disediakan oleh ARE memenuhi piawaian ICRP dan beliau dapati kilang itu selamat untuk beroperasi.
5 Oktober: Kira-kira 3,000 penduduk Bukit Merah dan kawasan sekitarnya mengadakan tunjuk perasaan terhadap rancangan ARE untuk menimbun sisa radioaktif di tapak kekalnya di Banjaran Kledang.
28 Oktober: Profesor Sadao Ichikawa dalam kunjungan kali keduanya ke Bukit Merah mendapati paras radiasi di sekitar kilang ARE masih melebihi paras yang dibenarkan. Beliau dilarang masuk ke dalam kilang itu.
16 November: Sekumpulan penyiasat dari AELB memeriksa beberapa buah tapak buangan sisa torium yang dilonggokkan secara haram di Bukit Merah. Mereka dibantu oleh bekas kontraktor ARE, Ng Toong Foo yang pernah membuang sisa di situ. Bacaan di salah sebuah tapak ialah 0.05 – 0.10 milirem/jam (iaitu 438 – 876 milirem/tahun) melebihi paras keselamatan maksimum 0.057 milirem/jam yang ditetapkan oleh ICRP.
26 November: Perwakilan dari tujuh kawasan (Bukit Merah, Lahat, Taman Badri Shah, Menglembu, Papan, Falim dan Guntong) membentuk sebuah jawatankuasa Anti-Radioaktif Perak (PARC).
8 Disember: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Encik Kasitah Gadam berkata hasil pemeriksaan AELB di dua tapak buangan haram Bukit Merah mendapati paras radiasi di situ adalah selamat. Menurutnya, sungguhpun AELB mendapati paras radiasi di situ melebihi paras normal, ini tidak membahayakan kerana tapak-tapak itu sangat sedikit bilangannya.
1987
6 Februari: Tanpa mempedulikan perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kepada ARE supaya menghentikan operasi, AELB Malaysia memberikan lesen kepada ARE supaya meneruskan operasinya.
10 April: PARC menjemput 14 pakar asing untuk datang ke Bukit Merah-pengasas-pengasas Institut Antarabangsa bagi Kepentingan Awam di Kanada, Dr Rosalie Bertell; Setiausaha Pusat Keselamatan Industri dan Kepentingan Alam Sekitar di India, V.T. Pathmanaban; dan Presiden Institut Kesihatan dan Tenaga di Amerika Syarikat, Kathleen Tucker merupakan antara mereka yang dilarang memasuki kawasan ARE. Dalam satu forum yang berlangsung di Bukit Merah, pakar-pakar itu membuat kesimpulan bahawa ARE mendedahkan pelbagai ancaman kesihatan yang serius.
12 April: Kira-kira 10,000 orang penduduk berarak di Bukit Merah sebagai membantah operasi yang dijalankan semula oleh ARE.
24 Mei: Kira-kira 300 orang penduduk diperintahkan bersurai oleh anggota Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) berhampiran ARE. Lebih 20 orang, termasuk tiga wanita mengalami kecederaan dalam dua pertelingkahan pada hari itu. Seramai 60 orang ditahan oleh pihak polis. Semua kecuali enam dibebaskan kemudian selepas disoal-siasat. Keenam-enam pemuda itu dibebaskan seminggu kemudian di mana pihak polis tidak mengenakan sebarang tuduhan. Penduduk menghalang kerja-kerja membina jalan yang menuju ke tapak buangan kekal di Banjaran Kledang yang dicadangkan.
23 Julai: Seorang doktor Kanada, Bernie Lau, diupah oleh PARC untuk meletakkan alat pengesan gas radon di luar kilang ARE. Beliau berjaya mengesan sejumlah gas radon dibebaskan daripada kilang itu.
Terdahulu dari itu, Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar Datuk Amar Stephen Yong berkata, kerajaan berpuas hati dengan laporan penilaian kesan alam sekitar bagi tapak buangan kekal yang dicadangkan itu. Penilaian itu dijalankan oleh ARE bersama beberapa orang pegawai Kementerian.
7 September: Perbicaraan saman yang dikemukakan oleh lapan orang penduduk Bukit Merah terhadap ARE bermula di hadapan Hakim Peh Swee Chin di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh. Sebagai mengetengahkan nasib mereka, para penyokong PARC berjalan sejauh 8 km dari Bukit Merah ke Ipoh. Polis menyuraikan tunjuk perasaan mereka berhampiran Menglembu. Sembilan orang ditahan tetapi dibebaskan setelah diikat jamin. Kira-kira 1,000 orang hadir di mahkamah sebagai menunjukkan sokongan mereka.
11 September: Para penduduk berarak dari Bukit Merah ke Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh pada hari terakhir perbicaraan. Jumlah mereka yang hadir dianggarkan 3,000 orang.
18 September: Penduduk Bukit Merah mengemukakan permohonan perbicaraan kerana menghina mahkamah terhadap ARE memandangkan ia melanggar perintah menahan operasi yang diberikan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kepada mereka pada tahun 1985.
27 Oktober: Lebih 100 orang yang ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA). Di antaranya termasuklah pengerusi PARC, Hew Yoon Tat; timbalannya, Hiew Yew Lan; (bekas) setiausaha PARC, Lee Koon Bun; ahli jawatankuasa, Phang Kooi Yau dan peguam Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) yang mewakili plaintif Bukit Merah, Meenakshi Raman. Mereka dibebaskan selepas dua bulan.
November: ARE mula membina tapak buangan kekal sisa toksik di Banjaran Kledang.
1988
25 Januari: Perbicaraan disambung semula.
1990
13 Februari: Perbicaraan tamat selepas berlansung selama 65 hari dan berlanjutan lebih 32 bulan.
1992
11 Julai: Penduduk Bukit Merah memenangi kes saman terhadap ARE. Mahkamah mengarahkan penutupan kilang ARE dalam tempoh 14 hari. Pihak ARE pula mengumumkan ia akan membuat rayuan di Mahkamah Agung.
23 Julai: ARE mengemukan rayuan di Mahkamah Agung berhubung perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh supaya operasinya dihentikan. Pengerusi PARC Hew Yoon Tat dan salah seorang plaintif dalam saman terhadap ARE, Lau Fong Fatt menemui kakitangan atasan Mitsubishi Chemical di Jepun. Mereka diberitahu ARE mengemukan rayuan tanpa kebenaran syarikat itu.
24 Julai: Berikutan permohonan ex-parte oleh ARE, Hakim Besar Mahkamah Agung menahan (sehingga perintah selanjutnya) perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kepada ARE supaya menghentikan operasinya.
3 Ogos: Lebih 2,000 orang dari Bukit Merah hadir di Mahkamah Agung untuk mendengar rayuan ARE terhadap perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh yang menggantung operasinya. Bagaimanapun, hakim-hakim Mahkamah Agung Menangguhkan perbicaraan kepada 5 Ogos kerana ‘tekanan oleh mereka yang berpiket di luar mahkamah.’
5 Ogos: Mahkamah Agung membenarkan permohonan ARE untuk menolak perintah Mahkamah Tinggi yang meminta ARE menghentikan operasinya berikutan rayuan syarikat berkenaan. Menurut hakim-hakim itu, penutupan tersebut akan menyulitkan kilang dan 183 pekerjanya.
1993
15 Mac: Perbicaraan rayuan yang dikemukan oleh ARE di Mahkamah Agung ditangguhkan pada 7 Jun.
7 Jun: Perbicaraan mendengar rayuan ARE sekali lagi ditangguhkan ke satu tarikh yang akan diberitahu kelak.
1994
19 Januari: Pengumuman syarikat ARE untuk menghentikan operasi.
notasemut : baca dan fahamkan. nilai sendiri sejauh mana kejujuran perdana menteri, menteri-menteri dan pegawai pegawai kementerian dalam menangani isu kilang rare earth bukit merah satu ketika dahulu. tiada seorang pun di kalangan mereka yang memiliki kuasa, turut bersama sama berjuang dan membela nasib rakyat. sebaliknya, mereka sanggup menggunakan ISA untuk menutup kebenaran. dan sekarang, golongan yang sama (dengan rekod korupsi yang jauh lebih buruk) nak perjudikan pula nasib rakyat dan alam sekitar dengan projek Lynas. heh, biasa dengar ayat ‘rakyat didahulukan’ sejak kebelakangan ni? harktui!
*jika anda manusia prihatin, mohon sebarkan. tak payah susah susah nak mintak izin.
NB: If the details above are incorrect or are not factual please inform me and I will attempt to correct them. The above Bukit Merah account is reproduced in good faith.
Bukit Merah. A photo essay from a concerned citizen’s facebook. The photos and their captions tell a terrifying story of government irresponsibility and greed.
By Mariam Mokhtar
14 August, 2019
No Comments
This write-up was found on facebook. I am unable to verify the source, but the person who wrote it has requested that we share his story. Those who have knowledge may be able to ascertain the veracity of the events, to enlighten us.
Reject Lynas!
Thank you
The story & photos behind the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) scandal in Bukit Merah, Perak [36 photos]
March 11, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Sumber cerita bergambar : Lessons from radioactive poisoning in Bukit Merah: A Photo Essay
* * * * * * *
Berikut adalah kronologi penetangan Asian Rare Earth (ARE) di Bukit Merah, Ipoh sehingga penutupannya pada 19 Januari, 1994. Anda rakyat prihatin. Selamatkan generasi masa depan kita. Bersuaralah dan hentikan pemprosesan ‘rare earth’ di Kuantan sebelum terlambat.
1979 (masa ni Hussein Onn PM)
November: Syarikat Asian Rare Earth (ARE) dibentuk untuk mengekstrak itrium ( sejenis unsur nadir bumi) daripada monazit. Pemegang saham utamanya ialah Mitsubishi Chemical Industries Ltd (35%), Beh Minerals (35%), Lembaga Urusan dan Tabung Haji (20%) dan beberapa peniaga bumiputera (10%). Pihak ARE telah mendapatkan pandangan dari Pusat Penyelidikan Atom Tun Dr. Ismail (Puspati), Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar mengenai sisa buangan radioaktif yang dihasilkan melalui pemerosesan monazit. Adalah diputuskan, sisa buangan itu yang menjadi milik kerajaan Negeri Perak akan disimpan kerana berpotensi sebagai sumber tenaga nuklear.
1982 (tahun pertama Mahathir jadi PM)
11 Mei : Gua lahir ke dunia (ya, ini juga sejarah)
Jun: Penduduk Parit, Perak mendapat tahu kerajaan telah memilih kawasan seluas sembilan ekar, kira-kira 6 km dari penempatan mereka untuk dijadikan tapak penimbunan sisa radioaktif syarikat ARE.
30 Jun: Ekoran bantahan hebat daripada jawatankuasa penduduk serta lain-lain pertubuhan politik dan sosial, kerajaan membatalkan cadangan itu dan kemudian mula mencari tapak baru.
11 Julai: Kilang ARE mula beroperasi di KM 7.2, Jalan Lahat di Bukit Merah.
1983
November: Penduduk Papan (kira-kira 16 km dari Ipoh) mendapat tahu ARE sedang mengorek lubang berhampiran tempat kediaman mereka untuk dijadikan tapak buangan sisa radioaktif. Tapak itu merupakan pilihan kerajaan
1984
24 Mei: Kira-kira 6,700 penduduk Papan dan pekan-pekan yang berhampiran menandatangani satu surat bantahan dan menghantarnya kepada Perdana Menteri, Menteri Besar Perak, Menteri Kesihatan serta Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar.
31 Mei: Seramai 200 penduduk Papan membantah tapak pembuangan yang dicadangkan. Mereka menyekat jalan yang menuju ke tapak itu.
5 Jun: Perdana Menteri berkata, kerajaan telah mengambil segala langkah berjaga-jaga untuk memastikan keselamatannya dan menegaskan pembinaan tapak buangan radioaktif di Papan akan diteruskan.
18 Jun: Kira-kira 300 penduduk Papan sekali lagi mengadakan tunjuk perasaan sebagai membantah tapak buangan yang dicadangkan.
28 Jun: Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Amar Stephen Yong berkata, tapak buangan Papan adalah selamat kerana dibina mengikut piawaian yang ketat. Beliau mencabar pengkritik supaya membuktikan tapak itu boleh mengancam kesihatan dan alam sekitar. Sementara itu, ARE meneruskan operasinya dengan menimbun sisa torium di sebuah kawasan terbuka dan kolam berhampiran kilang itu.
1 Julai: Kira-kira 3,000 penduduk termasuk wanita dan kanak-kanak mengadakan tunjuk perasaan secara aman sebagai membantah tapak buangan tersebut.
4 Julai: Seramai 2,000 orang penduduk terus mengadakan tunjuk perasaan meskipun Ketua Polis Perak memberi arahan supaya bersurai.
18 Julai: Pembentukan Jawatankuasa Bertindak Bukit Merah, terdiri daripada penduduk Bukit Merah, Lahat, Menglembu dan Taman Badri Shah, sebagai tanda sokongan kepada penduduk Papan. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) menghantar satu memorandum kepada Perdana Menteri memaklumkan paras radiasi yang tinggi telah dikesan dikawasan kolam terbuka berhampiran kilang ARE di Bukit Merah. Satu bacaan yang dicatat oleh pegawai-pegawai SAM sewaktu berkunjung ke situ ialah 43,800 milirem/tahun. Paras ini melebihi 88 kali paras maksimum yang ditetapkan oleh Suruhanjaya Antarabangsa bagi Perlindungan Radiologi (ICRP) untuk orang ramai.
29 Ogos: Michael O ‘Riordan dari Lembaga Perlindungan Radiologi Kebangsaan British dijemput oleh kerajaan untuk memeriksa tapak buangan toksik di Papan.
19 September: Sekumpulan tiga orang dari Agensi Tenaga Atom Antarabangsa (IAEA) Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu mengunjugi tapak buangan di Papan atas jemputan kerajaan Malaysia. Mereka mengisytiharkan tapak buangan itu tidak selamat.
5 Oktober: Dr William Cannell, seorang ahli fizik dan penganalisis kesihatan menerima jemputan penduduk Papan untuk melawat tapak buangan tersebut. Hasil pemerhatian beliau mendapati kerja-kerja kejuruteraan yang dijalankan oleh syarikat terbabit sangat buruk.
21 Oktober: Seorang pakar dari Amerika dan bekas ahli jawatankuasa Akademi Sains Kebangsaan Amerika bagi kesan-kesan Biologi Radiasi Mengion (BEIR), Dr Edward Radford, atas jemputan penduduk Papan, membuat tinjauan di tapak buangan sisa itu. Beliau dapati tapak itu tidak sesuai sementara lubang-lubang yang digali mempunyai dinding yang nipis atau sudah merekah.
7 November: Seorang pakar buangan sisa industri dari Jepun, Dr. Jun Ui, menerima jemputan penduduk Papan untuk memeriksa tapak buangan ARE. Beliau juga mendapati tapak itu tidak sesuai dijadikan kawasan penimbunan sisa berbahaya.
28 November: Kabinet membincangkan laporan-laporan yang diserahkan oleh dua badan kawalan. Laporan yang dikemukan oleh Lembaga Perlindungan Radiologi Kebangsaan British (NRPB) berkata, penduduk hanya akan selamat jika faktor-faktor tertentu diberi perhatian oleh kerajaan Perak dan syarikat ARE. Laporan kedua oleh IAEA pula berkata, lubang-lubang yang dibina tidak memenuhi syarat-syarat yang ditetapkan.
9 Disember: Lebih 1,500 penduduk di Papan mengadakan mogok lapar selama sehari sebagai membantah keputusan kerajaan untuk meneruskan rancangan menempatkan tapak buangan sisa di Papan. Penduduk Bukit Merah membawa masuk seorang pakar radiasi dan genetik dari Jepun, Profesor Sadao Ichikawa untuk mengukur paras radiasi di kawasan terbuka dan kolam berhampiran kilang ARE. Beliau dapati paras radiasi di situ terlalu tinggi malah paras tertinggi yang dicatatkan melebihi 800 kali paras yang dibenarkan.
12 Disember: Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Musa Hitam menunjukkan minat secara peribadi terhadap perkembangan isu Papan ini. Beliau mengunjungi tapak buangan tersebut.
1985
11 Januari: Selepas mesyuarat kabinet yang dipengerusikan oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri ketika itu, Datuk Musa Hitam, kerajaan mengambil keputusan memindahkan tapak buangan sisa ke Mukim Belanja di Banjaran Kledang yang terletak kira-kira 5 km dari Papan dan 3 km dari Menglembu.
1 Februari: Lapan orang penduduk, bagi pihak diri mereka sendiri dan penduduk Bukit Merah membuat satu permohonan di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh menahan ARE daripada mengeluar, menyimpan atau menimbun sisa radioaktif di sekitar kampung tersebut.
Akta Perlesenan Tenaga Atom 1984 dikuatkuasakan. Ia memastikan pengendali bahagian pemasangan nuklear (termasuk kerajaan) bertanggungjawab terhadap ancaman nuklear. Lima ahli Lembaga Perlesenan Tenaga Atom (AELB) dibentuk di bawah Akta itu, dengan perwakilan dari Puspati, Kementerian Kesihatan serta Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar.
14 Oktober: Hakim Anuar Datuk Zainal Abidin di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh memberikan kepada penduduk Bukit Merah perintah menahan dan menghentikan ARE daripada mengeluar dan menimbun bahan sisa radioaktif sehingga langkah-langkah keselamatan yang secukupnya diambil. Lebih daripada 1,500 penduduk Bukit Merah hadir di mahkamah untuk mendengar keputusan itu.
1986
22 September: ARE mendakwa ia telah membelanjakan lebih RM2 juta untuk meningkatkan langkah-langkah keselamatan (sepertimana yang dikehendaki oleh perintah mahkamah), diikuti oleh piawaian IAEA. Ia menjemput pakar tenaga atom dari Amerika, Dr E.E. Fowler (Bekas kakitangan IAEA) untuk mengunjungi kilang berkenaan. Menurut beliau, paras radiasi berhampiran kawasan pembuangan yang disediakan oleh ARE memenuhi piawaian ICRP dan beliau dapati kilang itu selamat untuk beroperasi.
5 Oktober: Kira-kira 3,000 penduduk Bukit Merah dan kawasan sekitarnya mengadakan tunjuk perasaan terhadap rancangan ARE untuk menimbun sisa radioaktif di tapak kekalnya di Banjaran Kledang.
28 Oktober: Profesor Sadao Ichikawa dalam kunjungan kali keduanya ke Bukit Merah mendapati paras radiasi di sekitar kilang ARE masih melebihi paras yang dibenarkan. Beliau dilarang masuk ke dalam kilang itu.
16 November: Sekumpulan penyiasat dari AELB memeriksa beberapa buah tapak buangan sisa torium yang dilonggokkan secara haram di Bukit Merah. Mereka dibantu oleh bekas kontraktor ARE, Ng Toong Foo yang pernah membuang sisa di situ. Bacaan di salah sebuah tapak ialah 0.05 – 0.10 milirem/jam (iaitu 438 – 876 milirem/tahun) melebihi paras keselamatan maksimum 0.057 milirem/jam yang ditetapkan oleh ICRP.
26 November: Perwakilan dari tujuh kawasan (Bukit Merah, Lahat, Taman Badri Shah, Menglembu, Papan, Falim dan Guntong) membentuk sebuah jawatankuasa Anti-Radioaktif Perak (PARC).
8 Disember: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Encik Kasitah Gadam berkata hasil pemeriksaan AELB di dua tapak buangan haram Bukit Merah mendapati paras radiasi di situ adalah selamat. Menurutnya, sungguhpun AELB mendapati paras radiasi di situ melebihi paras normal, ini tidak membahayakan kerana tapak-tapak itu sangat sedikit bilangannya.
1987
6 Februari: Tanpa mempedulikan perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kepada ARE supaya menghentikan operasi, AELB Malaysia memberikan lesen kepada ARE supaya meneruskan operasinya.
10 April: PARC menjemput 14 pakar asing untuk datang ke Bukit Merah-pengasas-pengasas Institut Antarabangsa bagi Kepentingan Awam di Kanada, Dr Rosalie Bertell; Setiausaha Pusat Keselamatan Industri dan Kepentingan Alam Sekitar di India, V.T. Pathmanaban; dan Presiden Institut Kesihatan dan Tenaga di Amerika Syarikat, Kathleen Tucker merupakan antara mereka yang dilarang memasuki kawasan ARE. Dalam satu forum yang berlangsung di Bukit Merah, pakar-pakar itu membuat kesimpulan bahawa ARE mendedahkan pelbagai ancaman kesihatan yang serius.
12 April: Kira-kira 10,000 orang penduduk berarak di Bukit Merah sebagai membantah operasi yang dijalankan semula oleh ARE.
24 Mei: Kira-kira 300 orang penduduk diperintahkan bersurai oleh anggota Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) berhampiran ARE. Lebih 20 orang, termasuk tiga wanita mengalami kecederaan dalam dua pertelingkahan pada hari itu. Seramai 60 orang ditahan oleh pihak polis. Semua kecuali enam dibebaskan kemudian selepas disoal-siasat. Keenam-enam pemuda itu dibebaskan seminggu kemudian di mana pihak polis tidak mengenakan sebarang tuduhan. Penduduk menghalang kerja-kerja membina jalan yang menuju ke tapak buangan kekal di Banjaran Kledang yang dicadangkan.
23 Julai: Seorang doktor Kanada, Bernie Lau, diupah oleh PARC untuk meletakkan alat pengesan gas radon di luar kilang ARE. Beliau berjaya mengesan sejumlah gas radon dibebaskan daripada kilang itu.
Terdahulu dari itu, Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar Datuk Amar Stephen Yong berkata, kerajaan berpuas hati dengan laporan penilaian kesan alam sekitar bagi tapak buangan kekal yang dicadangkan itu. Penilaian itu dijalankan oleh ARE bersama beberapa orang pegawai Kementerian.
7 September: Perbicaraan saman yang dikemukakan oleh lapan orang penduduk Bukit Merah terhadap ARE bermula di hadapan Hakim Peh Swee Chin di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh. Sebagai mengetengahkan nasib mereka, para penyokong PARC berjalan sejauh 8 km dari Bukit Merah ke Ipoh. Polis menyuraikan tunjuk perasaan mereka berhampiran Menglembu. Sembilan orang ditahan tetapi dibebaskan setelah diikat jamin. Kira-kira 1,000 orang hadir di mahkamah sebagai menunjukkan sokongan mereka.
11 September: Para penduduk berarak dari Bukit Merah ke Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh pada hari terakhir perbicaraan. Jumlah mereka yang hadir dianggarkan 3,000 orang.
18 September: Penduduk Bukit Merah mengemukakan permohonan perbicaraan kerana menghina mahkamah terhadap ARE memandangkan ia melanggar perintah menahan operasi yang diberikan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kepada mereka pada tahun 1985.
27 Oktober: Lebih 100 orang yang ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA). Di antaranya termasuklah pengerusi PARC, Hew Yoon Tat; timbalannya, Hiew Yew Lan; (bekas) setiausaha PARC, Lee Koon Bun; ahli jawatankuasa, Phang Kooi Yau dan peguam Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) yang mewakili plaintif Bukit Merah, Meenakshi Raman. Mereka dibebaskan selepas dua bulan.
November: ARE mula membina tapak buangan kekal sisa toksik di Banjaran Kledang.
1988
25 Januari: Perbicaraan disambung semula.
1990
13 Februari: Perbicaraan tamat selepas berlansung selama 65 hari dan berlanjutan lebih 32 bulan.
1992
11 Julai: Penduduk Bukit Merah memenangi kes saman terhadap ARE. Mahkamah mengarahkan penutupan kilang ARE dalam tempoh 14 hari. Pihak ARE pula mengumumkan ia akan membuat rayuan di Mahkamah Agung.
23 Julai: ARE mengemukan rayuan di Mahkamah Agung berhubung perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh supaya operasinya dihentikan. Pengerusi PARC Hew Yoon Tat dan salah seorang plaintif dalam saman terhadap ARE, Lau Fong Fatt menemui kakitangan atasan Mitsubishi Chemical di Jepun. Mereka diberitahu ARE mengemukan rayuan tanpa kebenaran syarikat itu.
24 Julai: Berikutan permohonan ex-parte oleh ARE, Hakim Besar Mahkamah Agung menahan (sehingga perintah selanjutnya) perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kepada ARE supaya menghentikan operasinya.
3 Ogos: Lebih 2,000 orang dari Bukit Merah hadir di Mahkamah Agung untuk mendengar rayuan ARE terhadap perintah Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh yang menggantung operasinya. Bagaimanapun, hakim-hakim Mahkamah Agung Menangguhkan perbicaraan kepada 5 Ogos kerana ‘tekanan oleh mereka yang berpiket di luar mahkamah.’
5 Ogos: Mahkamah Agung membenarkan permohonan ARE untuk menolak perintah Mahkamah Tinggi yang meminta ARE menghentikan operasinya berikutan rayuan syarikat berkenaan. Menurut hakim-hakim itu, penutupan tersebut akan menyulitkan kilang dan 183 pekerjanya.
1993
15 Mac: Perbicaraan rayuan yang dikemukan oleh ARE di Mahkamah Agung ditangguhkan pada 7 Jun.
7 Jun: Perbicaraan mendengar rayuan ARE sekali lagi ditangguhkan ke satu tarikh yang akan diberitahu kelak.
1994
19 Januari: Pengumuman syarikat ARE untuk menghentikan operasi.
notasemut : baca dan fahamkan. nilai sendiri sejauh mana kejujuran perdana menteri, menteri-menteri dan pegawai pegawai kementerian dalam menangani isu kilang rare earth bukit merah satu ketika dahulu. tiada seorang pun di kalangan mereka yang memiliki kuasa, turut bersama sama berjuang dan membela nasib rakyat. sebaliknya, mereka sanggup menggunakan ISA untuk menutup kebenaran. dan sekarang, golongan yang sama (dengan rekod korupsi yang jauh lebih buruk) nak perjudikan pula nasib rakyat dan alam sekitar dengan projek Lynas. heh, biasa dengar ayat ‘rakyat didahulukan’ sejak kebelakangan ni? harktui!
*jika anda manusia prihatin, mohon sebarkan. tak payah susah susah nak mintak izin.
NB: If the details above are incorrect or are not factual please inform me and I will attempt to correct them. The above Bukit Merah account is reproduced in good faith.
Friday, 16 August 2019
https://www.facebook.com/events/2441841389192202/
MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 16 August 2019
NGOs Ask Australia to Suspend Lynas’
Rare Earth Export to its Malaysian Plant
AUSTRALIA | Yesterday, Australian rare earth producer Lynas Corporation has been granted conditional six-month licence extension by the Malaysian Government. Environmental and human rights non-government organisations in Australia have joined their counterparts in Malaysia in expressing grave concerns at this decision.
Lynas owns and operates a rare earth mine in Western Australia and ships lanthanide concentrate from its Mount Weld mine to Malaysia. The concentrate is processed at its controversial secondary processing plant to extract rare earth oxides and carbonates for its Japanese and Chinese customers. This process leaves behind an enormous amount of toxic waste laced with thorium, uranium, heavy metals and other chemicals.
Friends of the Earth Australia, AID/WATCH, together with Australian chapters of the BERSIH Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections in Malaysia and Melbourne-based Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) have responded to a petition that has gained momentum. The petition demands that Australia suspends Lynas’ rare earth export to Malaysia because Lynas has no safe permanent disposal facility for its radioactive waste even though the secondary plant has been operating since 2012.
Dr Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia commented, “In the seven years of production in Malaysia, Lynas has generated nearly 600,000 tonnes of radioactive waste[1] with nowhere safe to store. Currently, this waste is stacked up in open dams in a low-lying peat mangrove area prone to floods and peat fires.”[2]
"This is sub-standard radioactive waste management. Australia must not allow this kind of unsafe accumulation of toxic radioactive waste in Malaysia by Lynas.”
For decades, Australian mining companies have been particularly notorious in causing catastrophic environmental problems in developing countries.[3] Australian law has yet to include conditions whereby the operations of Australian companies overseas should adhere to the same standard as they would be required to do in their home country.
Natalie Lowrey, Coordinator of AID/WATCH stated, “We are disappointed that the Malaysian Government has not suspended Lynas’ operations even though it has violated its licence conditions and has yet to locate a site or a definite plan for its radioactive waste. There is still no end in sight as to how Lynas would safely dispose of its radioactive waste.”
“We are particularly concerned that the Australian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, Andrew Goledzinowski, has gone beyond his diplomatic duty to explicitly support Lynas through his media statements in Malaysia.[4] He seems oblivious to the fact that Western Australia has expressed a preference for Lynas to process its rare earth ore in WA itself, where expertise and infrastructure are available, and regulations are more strictly enforced as compared with a debt-ridden struggling democracy like Malaysia.” remarked Ms Lowrey.
Last year, Malaysian voters brought a change of government that ended over 60 years of political Pakatan Harapan Coalition Government following the world-wide 1MDB corruption scandal linked to the former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Voters’ discontent with the Najib Government also included public anger over its approval for the Lynas rare earth project in 2012.
Ms Lowrey continued: “Lynas has been a target of strong and sustained protest since 2011 when it was still under construction in Malaysia, and this has included years of international solidarity.”[5]
“Lynas has failed to deliver a a detailed environmental impact assessment, has no proper public consultation or a clear radioactive waste disposal site and plan. Simply put, Lynas has never had a social licence to operate - this would never be allowed here in Australia.” She continued.
Bersih Sydney spokesman Mr William de Cruz said: "Australia’s track record in protecting its own environment is abysmal. But it’s ability to turn a blind eye to how Australian companies are wreaking environmental havoc in poor countries is shocking."
Ms Lowrey added: “We are also concerned that both the Australian federal government and the Western Australian state government have rejected out-of-hand accepting Lynas’ radioactive waste back into Australia, even though the rare earth ores were mined and exported from WA. Malaysia has neither the capacity nor the climatic condition and landscape to house a Permanent Disposable Facility for the radioactive waste, with thorium, which has a half-life of 14 billion years!”
For more information:
Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia
jim.green@foe.org.au, +61 417 318 368
Natalie Lowrey, AID/WATCH
natalie.lowrey@gmail.com, +61 421 226 200
William de Cruz, Bersih Sydney +61 425 237 429
[1] ‘Lynas hit by fresh allegations of 'illegal' waste storage’, Sydney Morning Herald, April 19, 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/lynas-hit-by-fresh-allegations-of-illegal-waste-storage-20190419-p51fmn.html
[2] ‘Lynas must remove its radioactive wastes from Malaysia’, Malaysiakini, June 14, 2019, https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/479589
[3] Both Australian-owned BHP and Rio Tinto have been caused catastrophic environmental and human rights disasters at their mines in Papua New Guinea. BHP Ok Tedi mine, Western Province, PNG: ‘OK Tedi Mining blamed for Health epidemic in Western Province’, EMTV, November 18, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00sdNaMIG8; 'Toxic time bomb' awaits Ok Tedi, ABC Science, September 5, 2008, https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/09/05/2356711.htm; and Rio Tinto’s Paguna mine in Bougainville that resulted in brutal Civil War from 1989-1997 which claimed the lives of up to 20 000 people, and tens of thousands more were displaced: ‘Rio Tinto walks away from environmental responsibility for Bougainville’s Panguna mine’, Mongabay, April 6, 2017. https://news.mongabay.com/2017/04/rio-tinto-walks-away-from-environmental-responsibility-for-bougainvilles-panguna-mine/; ‘Rio Tinto's billion-dollar mess: 'unprincipled, shameful and evil'’, Sydney Morning Herald, August 19, 2016.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/billiondollar-mess-a-major-disaster-the-people-do-not-deserve-to-have-20160817-gquzli.html
[4] ‘Australian high commissioner should not be Lynas' mouthpiece’, Letter from Wong Tack, MP for Bentong in Malaysia, Malaysiakini, May 29, 2019. https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/477859;
[5] ‘Arrests at Malaysian Rare Earths Refinery Protests’, The Diplomat, June 27, 2014. https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/arrests-at-malaysian-rare-earths-refinery-protests/; ‘Malaysia police recommend charges meaning Australian faces 2 years' jail’, The Guardian, June 26, 2014. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/26/malaysia-police-confirm-two-years-jail-looms-for-australian-activist; ‘Rare earths and our insatiable appetite for digital memory’, The Conversation, November 29, 2013. https://theconversation.com/rare-earths-and-our-insatiable-appetite-for-digital-memory-20938; Lynas plant on line, protests to continue, Sydney Morning Herald, December 1 2012, https://www.smh.com.au/business/lynas-plant-on-line-protests-to-continue-20121130-2amf0.html
MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 16 August 2019
NGOs Ask Australia to Suspend Lynas’
Rare Earth Export to its Malaysian Plant
AUSTRALIA | Yesterday, Australian rare earth producer Lynas Corporation has been granted conditional six-month licence extension by the Malaysian Government. Environmental and human rights non-government organisations in Australia have joined their counterparts in Malaysia in expressing grave concerns at this decision.
Lynas owns and operates a rare earth mine in Western Australia and ships lanthanide concentrate from its Mount Weld mine to Malaysia. The concentrate is processed at its controversial secondary processing plant to extract rare earth oxides and carbonates for its Japanese and Chinese customers. This process leaves behind an enormous amount of toxic waste laced with thorium, uranium, heavy metals and other chemicals.
Friends of the Earth Australia, AID/WATCH, together with Australian chapters of the BERSIH Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections in Malaysia and Melbourne-based Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) have responded to a petition that has gained momentum. The petition demands that Australia suspends Lynas’ rare earth export to Malaysia because Lynas has no safe permanent disposal facility for its radioactive waste even though the secondary plant has been operating since 2012.
Dr Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia commented, “In the seven years of production in Malaysia, Lynas has generated nearly 600,000 tonnes of radioactive waste[1] with nowhere safe to store. Currently, this waste is stacked up in open dams in a low-lying peat mangrove area prone to floods and peat fires.”[2]
"This is sub-standard radioactive waste management. Australia must not allow this kind of unsafe accumulation of toxic radioactive waste in Malaysia by Lynas.”
For decades, Australian mining companies have been particularly notorious in causing catastrophic environmental problems in developing countries.[3] Australian law has yet to include conditions whereby the operations of Australian companies overseas should adhere to the same standard as they would be required to do in their home country.
Natalie Lowrey, Coordinator of AID/WATCH stated, “We are disappointed that the Malaysian Government has not suspended Lynas’ operations even though it has violated its licence conditions and has yet to locate a site or a definite plan for its radioactive waste. There is still no end in sight as to how Lynas would safely dispose of its radioactive waste.”
“We are particularly concerned that the Australian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, Andrew Goledzinowski, has gone beyond his diplomatic duty to explicitly support Lynas through his media statements in Malaysia.[4] He seems oblivious to the fact that Western Australia has expressed a preference for Lynas to process its rare earth ore in WA itself, where expertise and infrastructure are available, and regulations are more strictly enforced as compared with a debt-ridden struggling democracy like Malaysia.” remarked Ms Lowrey.
Last year, Malaysian voters brought a change of government that ended over 60 years of political Pakatan Harapan Coalition Government following the world-wide 1MDB corruption scandal linked to the former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Voters’ discontent with the Najib Government also included public anger over its approval for the Lynas rare earth project in 2012.
Ms Lowrey continued: “Lynas has been a target of strong and sustained protest since 2011 when it was still under construction in Malaysia, and this has included years of international solidarity.”[5]
“Lynas has failed to deliver a a detailed environmental impact assessment, has no proper public consultation or a clear radioactive waste disposal site and plan. Simply put, Lynas has never had a social licence to operate - this would never be allowed here in Australia.” She continued.
Bersih Sydney spokesman Mr William de Cruz said: "Australia’s track record in protecting its own environment is abysmal. But it’s ability to turn a blind eye to how Australian companies are wreaking environmental havoc in poor countries is shocking."
Ms Lowrey added: “We are also concerned that both the Australian federal government and the Western Australian state government have rejected out-of-hand accepting Lynas’ radioactive waste back into Australia, even though the rare earth ores were mined and exported from WA. Malaysia has neither the capacity nor the climatic condition and landscape to house a Permanent Disposable Facility for the radioactive waste, with thorium, which has a half-life of 14 billion years!”
For more information:
Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia
jim.green@foe.org.au, +61 417 318 368
Natalie Lowrey, AID/WATCH
natalie.lowrey@gmail.com, +61 421 226 200
William de Cruz, Bersih Sydney +61 425 237 429
[1] ‘Lynas hit by fresh allegations of 'illegal' waste storage’, Sydney Morning Herald, April 19, 2019, https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/lynas-hit-by-fresh-allegations-of-illegal-waste-storage-20190419-p51fmn.html
[2] ‘Lynas must remove its radioactive wastes from Malaysia’, Malaysiakini, June 14, 2019, https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/479589
[3] Both Australian-owned BHP and Rio Tinto have been caused catastrophic environmental and human rights disasters at their mines in Papua New Guinea. BHP Ok Tedi mine, Western Province, PNG: ‘OK Tedi Mining blamed for Health epidemic in Western Province’, EMTV, November 18, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00sdNaMIG8; 'Toxic time bomb' awaits Ok Tedi, ABC Science, September 5, 2008, https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/09/05/2356711.htm; and Rio Tinto’s Paguna mine in Bougainville that resulted in brutal Civil War from 1989-1997 which claimed the lives of up to 20 000 people, and tens of thousands more were displaced: ‘Rio Tinto walks away from environmental responsibility for Bougainville’s Panguna mine’, Mongabay, April 6, 2017. https://news.mongabay.com/2017/04/rio-tinto-walks-away-from-environmental-responsibility-for-bougainvilles-panguna-mine/; ‘Rio Tinto's billion-dollar mess: 'unprincipled, shameful and evil'’, Sydney Morning Herald, August 19, 2016.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/billiondollar-mess-a-major-disaster-the-people-do-not-deserve-to-have-20160817-gquzli.html
[4] ‘Australian high commissioner should not be Lynas' mouthpiece’, Letter from Wong Tack, MP for Bentong in Malaysia, Malaysiakini, May 29, 2019. https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/477859;
[5] ‘Arrests at Malaysian Rare Earths Refinery Protests’, The Diplomat, June 27, 2014. https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/arrests-at-malaysian-rare-earths-refinery-protests/; ‘Malaysia police recommend charges meaning Australian faces 2 years' jail’, The Guardian, June 26, 2014. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/26/malaysia-police-confirm-two-years-jail-looms-for-australian-activist; ‘Rare earths and our insatiable appetite for digital memory’, The Conversation, November 29, 2013. https://theconversation.com/rare-earths-and-our-insatiable-appetite-for-digital-memory-20938; Lynas plant on line, protests to continue, Sydney Morning Herald, December 1 2012, https://www.smh.com.au/business/lynas-plant-on-line-protests-to-continue-20121130-2amf0.html
Press statement
15th August 2019
Call to Action Against Pakatan Harapan’s Toxic U-turn on Lynas
Lynas is Tun’s Second Toxic Legacy for Malaysia
SMSL is appalled although not at all surprised by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government’s betrayal by renewing Lynas’ operating licence. The Australian rare earth producer has failed to comply with its licence conditions and failed to comply with MESTECC’s decisions from last December.
Mr Tan expressed his disappointment, “Allowing Lynas to continue operating and generating more radioactive waste is a serious betrayal of Rakyat’s trust of the PH Government. This is a mega toxic U-turn from the pre-GE14 PH Manifesto. We shall burn it in public come Sunday!”
Responding to the announcement by AELB that Lynas’ license has been extended for another six months, SMSL Chairman, Mr Tan Bun Tee called on all concerned Malaysians to gather at Taman Gelora in Kuantan for a peaceful protest action from 7.00 to 10.00am.
“For eight years now, SMSL and supporters from all over Malaysia and overseas have been campaigning to stop the generation of toxic radioactive waste in Malaysia by Lynas. Cabinet’s decision works against Malaysia’s national interests. Those conditions were in the temporary operating licence since 2012. Lynas has never bothered to comply with them so what is the point?” He asked.
AELB has made the announcement that Lynas’ operating license has been extended for six months on conditions that a clear permanent disposal facility (PDF) plan be presented, and that the cracking and leaching processes that separates radionuclides from Lynas’ ore that leave radioactive waste behind be relocated away from Malaysia within 4 years from today.
“Lynas has already generated close to 600,000 tonnes of thorium waste to date. Lynas has essentially been given a free-hand to continue to generate even MORE toxic radioactive waste in Malaysia to pollute and contaminate our environment.” Legal Adviser for SMSL, Mr Hon Kai Ping retorted.
“We are also alarmed by the massive increase in the amount of WLP waste generated in less than a year – 130,000 tonnes, TWICE as much as the 64,000 tonnes per year approved in Lynas’ original blueprints. How can this be legal?” He added.
Although AELB has specified that the PDF must be of international standard, Malaysia’s weak regulatory regime and culture, tropical rainstorms that often lead to landslides and soil erosion present safety, reliability and technical challenges for any mega-physical structure such as a PDF. The massive amount of rainfalls alone would render Malaysia unsuitable for a radioactive PDF especially when Lynas’ radioactive thorium and uranium in Lynas’ waste have half-lives extending to billions of years – which means that they must not be left to expose to any living things especially humans. Most radioactive waste dumps are in dry desert environment in remote areas for this reason.
“We would like to remind the Government that any proposal for PDF must go through the detailed environmental impact assessment process, including efforts to allow for feedback and engagement with the public, especially for those living close to its proposed site.” Mr Hon said.
Transparency is a PH manifesto and effective public engagement has been emphasised by the IAEA in its assessment of Lynas previously.
“To ensure that Malaysia has a safe environment for now and for the future, we will continue to protest and seek support from international allies to call Lynas out as a dirty rare earth supplier to counter its greenwashing and marketing spin. We will also take legal actions against Lynas and the PH Government until Lynas’ toxic radioactive waste is removed from Malaysia.”Concluded Mr Tan.
For further comments, please contact:
· Mr Tan Bun Teet - Hp: +60 179 730 576
· Mr Hon Kai Ping - +60 112 544 7356
15th August 2019
Call to Action Against Pakatan Harapan’s Toxic U-turn on Lynas
Lynas is Tun’s Second Toxic Legacy for Malaysia
SMSL is appalled although not at all surprised by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government’s betrayal by renewing Lynas’ operating licence. The Australian rare earth producer has failed to comply with its licence conditions and failed to comply with MESTECC’s decisions from last December.
Mr Tan expressed his disappointment, “Allowing Lynas to continue operating and generating more radioactive waste is a serious betrayal of Rakyat’s trust of the PH Government. This is a mega toxic U-turn from the pre-GE14 PH Manifesto. We shall burn it in public come Sunday!”
Responding to the announcement by AELB that Lynas’ license has been extended for another six months, SMSL Chairman, Mr Tan Bun Tee called on all concerned Malaysians to gather at Taman Gelora in Kuantan for a peaceful protest action from 7.00 to 10.00am.
“For eight years now, SMSL and supporters from all over Malaysia and overseas have been campaigning to stop the generation of toxic radioactive waste in Malaysia by Lynas. Cabinet’s decision works against Malaysia’s national interests. Those conditions were in the temporary operating licence since 2012. Lynas has never bothered to comply with them so what is the point?” He asked.
AELB has made the announcement that Lynas’ operating license has been extended for six months on conditions that a clear permanent disposal facility (PDF) plan be presented, and that the cracking and leaching processes that separates radionuclides from Lynas’ ore that leave radioactive waste behind be relocated away from Malaysia within 4 years from today.
“Lynas has already generated close to 600,000 tonnes of thorium waste to date. Lynas has essentially been given a free-hand to continue to generate even MORE toxic radioactive waste in Malaysia to pollute and contaminate our environment.” Legal Adviser for SMSL, Mr Hon Kai Ping retorted.
“We are also alarmed by the massive increase in the amount of WLP waste generated in less than a year – 130,000 tonnes, TWICE as much as the 64,000 tonnes per year approved in Lynas’ original blueprints. How can this be legal?” He added.
Although AELB has specified that the PDF must be of international standard, Malaysia’s weak regulatory regime and culture, tropical rainstorms that often lead to landslides and soil erosion present safety, reliability and technical challenges for any mega-physical structure such as a PDF. The massive amount of rainfalls alone would render Malaysia unsuitable for a radioactive PDF especially when Lynas’ radioactive thorium and uranium in Lynas’ waste have half-lives extending to billions of years – which means that they must not be left to expose to any living things especially humans. Most radioactive waste dumps are in dry desert environment in remote areas for this reason.
“We would like to remind the Government that any proposal for PDF must go through the detailed environmental impact assessment process, including efforts to allow for feedback and engagement with the public, especially for those living close to its proposed site.” Mr Hon said.
Transparency is a PH manifesto and effective public engagement has been emphasised by the IAEA in its assessment of Lynas previously.
“To ensure that Malaysia has a safe environment for now and for the future, we will continue to protest and seek support from international allies to call Lynas out as a dirty rare earth supplier to counter its greenwashing and marketing spin. We will also take legal actions against Lynas and the PH Government until Lynas’ toxic radioactive waste is removed from Malaysia.”Concluded Mr Tan.
For further comments, please contact:
· Mr Tan Bun Teet - Hp: +60 179 730 576
· Mr Hon Kai Ping - +60 112 544 7356
Thursday, 8 August 2019
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevR_xxRof_tVq4cd9IKRr89SZ8EzJFEyydTXAmmu2F23SyVQ/viewform
LAPORAN REAKSI AM (LRA) KHAS ONLINE: LANJUT ATAU TIDAK PERMIT OPERASI LYNAS CORPLynas Corporation Ltd Malaysia (Lynas Corp)/ Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamps) adalah sebuah kilang pengeluaran nadir bumi yang terletak di Gebeng, Kuantan, Pahang. Loji ini telah beroperasi sejak 2012 dengan status “perintis strategik” yang membolehkan syarikat itu menikmati pengecualian cukai selama 12 tahun.
Lynas Corp merupakan sebuah syarikat Australia yang diberikan kelulusan pada Januari 2008 untuk mendirikan sebuah kilang di Pahang, telah melabur sebanyak RM3 bilion selain RM500 juta dibelanjakan bagi pelbagai tujuan yang memberi manfaat ekonomi negara. Sejak beroperasi, Lynas telah menyediakan peluang pekerjaan kepada kira-kira 700 penduduk tempatan dalam pelbagai bidang.
Lynas Corp, pengilang nadir bumi Australia kini berada di landasan untuk memperbaharui lesen operasinya di Malaysia yang berakhir pada 2 September ini, berdepan dengan isu perundangan dan beberapa pertikaian dengan Kerajaan Malaysia berhubung pelupusan sisa radioaktif paras rendah yang dihasilkan oleh loji pemprosesannya di Malaysia.
Ini berikutan kerajaan masih menunggu cadangan Lynas Corp dalam mengendalikan nadir buminya sebelum pembaharuan lesen berkenaan yang akan diputuskan oleh Kabinet serta diumumkan pada 15 Ogos ini.
Kajian ini dilaksanakan bagi mendapatkan reaksi masyarakat di daerah Kuantan; Bentong; Pekan; Maran; di Pahang dan Kemaman di Terengganu mengenai pelanjutan permit operasi Lynas Corp.
Tempoh Kajian: 08 - 13 Ogos 2019
Friday, 2 August 2019
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/08/01/dr-m-govt-still-waiting-for-lynas-proposal-on-disposal-of-waste
Dr M: Govt still waiting for Lynas proposal on disposal of waste
Nation
Thursday, 01 Aug 2019 11:45 AM MYT
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: The government is still waiting for Lynas Corp to present its proposal on how it plans to deal with the rare earth processing waste, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"We are waiting for them to tell us how they are going to do that, whether they find a place and whether they can dispose of the waste or not, " he said to reporters on Thursday (Aug 1).
According to a news report which cited an unamed government official, the Cabinet discussed the viability of Lynas building a permanent disposal facility in the country and would be announcing its decision next month ahead of the rare earth firm's licence expiry date.
However, Bentong MP Wong Tack said he doubted the veracity of the news report which claimed the government was likely to drop its requirement for Lynas Corp to remove its rare earth processing waste from Malaysia.
Dr M: Govt still waiting for Lynas proposal on disposal of waste
Nation
Thursday, 01 Aug 2019 11:45 AM MYT
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: The government is still waiting for Lynas Corp to present its proposal on how it plans to deal with the rare earth processing waste, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"We are waiting for them to tell us how they are going to do that, whether they find a place and whether they can dispose of the waste or not, " he said to reporters on Thursday (Aug 1).
According to a news report which cited an unamed government official, the Cabinet discussed the viability of Lynas building a permanent disposal facility in the country and would be announcing its decision next month ahead of the rare earth firm's licence expiry date.
However, Bentong MP Wong Tack said he doubted the veracity of the news report which claimed the government was likely to drop its requirement for Lynas Corp to remove its rare earth processing waste from Malaysia.
https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-and-the-cabinet-members-of-malaysia-malaysians-do-not-want-lynas-toxic-radioactive-legacy/exp/cl_/bandit-starter_cl_share_content_en-gb/v2/989212247?recruiter=989212247&recruited_by_id=9d4b8f00-b4f6-11e9-b47f-030c724a6619&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_p1_view&utm_content=bandit-starter_cl_share_content_en-gb%3Av2
Malaysia Should not be Left with Lynas’ Toxic Radioactive Waste
for the sake of Foreign Direct Investment
We, the undersigned civil society groups and Rakyat are deeply concerned that Malaysia is creating a second cancer-causing radioactive toxic legacy by Australia’s Lynas Corporation – at least 100 times bigger than that from Mitsubishi’s Asian Rare Earth in Bukit Merah. This is the second Japanese sponsored toxic legacy for Malaysia, facilitated by the ousted kleptocratic Najib Government, with the blessing of our Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Pakatan Harapan (PH) Cabinet.
We reiterate our strong position and appeal in our earlier memorandum to Tun and his Cabinet on Lynas dated 10th June 2019 to shut down Lynas immediately. Lynas is a junior mining company with a weak financial position due mainly to its predominantly low-value light rare earth mineral ore. Lynas has neither the intention nor financial means to store its toxic radioactive waste in a safe permanent disposal facility (PDF) away from its current flood and fire-prone peat mangrove swamp environment. Lynas has a massive debt burden made light only through the Japanese generous low-interest loan extension.
In pursue of profit, Lynas exploits Malaysia by playing politics and speculating on rare earth, backed by Japan due to the latter’s torrid relationship with China, its traditional rare earth supplier. For that, Malaysians are expected to endure its environmental pollution and public health hazards amounting to an increased risk of getting cancer for as long as its toxic radioactive waste remains in the country.
Lynas’ waste from the water-leached purification stream are contaminated with radionuclides at 1952ppm of long-live thorium and 29ppm of uranium respectively; toxic heavy metals – 490ppm lead, 111ppm nickel, 795 ppm chromium, 8ppm cadmium and 2890ppm manganese. Other hazardous contaminants are 13 ppm arsenic, mercury and copious amount of chemicals which can mobilise the radionuclides and heavy metals into the surrounding land and waters in times of floods and heavy rainfall due to Lynas’ inadequate waste storage facility. Data from Lynas’ own monitoring stations have already showed serious contamination by lead, nickel, chromium and mercury since 2015. Lynas did not test for contamination by radionuclides even though IAEA has stressed the importance of doing that.
These contaminants are toxic substances that will bio-accumulate over a lifetime and pollute the environment into the future to cause harms in Malaysia. Radionuclides in living cells has the capability to pass onto future generations. Reputable health agencies including World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have warned against these toxic substances as they can cause cancer and/or fatal and chronic health problems when exposed in large enough quantity over time. The burden of costly legacy site clean-up and acute health care will unfairly fall onto Malaysians.
Worse, Malaysia will also bear the tarnished reputation as a convenient toxic waste dumping ground. As Lynas’ massive piles of wastes continue to rise into the otherwise tranquil and beautiful coastal skyline, people will be reminded of Najib’s poisoned chalice, which Tun’s and PH’s took on to leave a toxic legacy forever. For that, Lynas has enjoyed a 12-year tax holiday granted by Najib’s Government blessed by the current PH regime despite the country’s heavy debt burdens and spiralling toxic pollution problems through decades of neglect and lax environmental law enforcement.
Malaysians have been bullied by the Australian High Commissioner and Lynas; and betrayed by our own Government. Lynas has violated its licence conditions and failed to firstly present a safe permanent disposal location and plan; and now reneged on its own undertakings made in 2012 to remove its radioactive and scheduled waste. If we call businesses that have brought in foreign rubbish into Malaysia traitors, then our regulators and those ministers who have backed Lynas instead of fulfilling their duty of care to uphold the law to enforce licence conditions on Lynas are no different.
This systemic and systematic failures of our Government have now continued despite the historical change of Government last May.
Once again, we appeal and call on the Pakatan Harapan Government to:
· enforce the law and uphold MESTECC’s decisions from December 2018 by suspending Lynas’ waste storage licences immediately to prevent further generation of toxic radioactive waste since Australia has refused to accept this waste and Lynas has yet to manage its scheduled waste in accordance with Malaysian law. Lynas’ current inadequate waste storage facility at the back of its rare earth plant are contaminating the environment and waterways. It is inappropriately located in a low-lying peat mangrove swamp close to fishing communities and tourist resorts. This is unsafe and is against established international standards for radiation safety and protection;
· hold Lynas accountable for its massive radioactive waste problems and groundwater contamination it has caused in Malaysia by requiring Lynas to clean up the contamination and to prevent further environmental pollution in the interest of public health;
· independently carry out a full and comprehensive health risk assessment study of the implication of Malaysia ending up with the total quantity of Lynas’ wastes, especially its toxic thorium waste, immediately and before any further decision on licence renewal is made since this study should have been done even before Lynas is given its construction permit back in 2009;
· to better understand the reputational risk to our agricultural produce from potential contamination of rare earth and other toxic elements;
· to study legacy and contamination site clean-up costs to ensure that Lynas bear that costs up-front; and
· carry out a full audit of Lynas’ financial viability in meeting its long-term waste management obligations and responsibilities.
We urge the Australian Government, especially the Australian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur to heed the facts that for decades, Malaysians have invested billions in Australia through property, businesses and sending hundreds of thousands of our best students to further their education in Australia. Many have stayed in Australia to contribute positively to the Australian economy and industries. Malaysians have held Australia in high regard and yet the Australian High Commissioner continues to back Lynas to undermine efforts in Malaysia to push for law enforcement to improve our environmental governance, failing to heed its own Western Australian Government’s preference for Lynas to process its ore locally.
We call on the Australian Government to:
· cease exerting diplomatic pressure on Malaysia to accept Lynas’ radioactive toxic waste to pursue rare earth geopolitical advantages;
· withhold Lynas’ lanthanide concentrate export to Malaysia until Lynas has removed its WLP waste from Malaysia in accordance with its own undertakings in 2012 and managed its scheduled waste within Malaysian regulations.
· compel ASIC to enforce its ASX Corporate Governance Principles requiring corporations to act ethically and responsibly by requiring that Lynas adhere to its licence conditions and undertakings in the interest of Malaysian health and well being regardless of weaknesses of technical capability and law enforcement by the Malaysian Government.
We would like to remind the High Commissioner of the message from a 2011 letter by then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd who stated that “The Australian Government expects Australian companies to operate to high environmental and safety standards in their overseas operations as they would in Australia.” Yet Lynas has reneged on its obligations and responsibility to abide by the IAEA recommendations and its licence conditions, and to act responsibly in accordance with Malaysian regulations.
We also appeal and call on the Japanese Government to:
· compel Lynas to adhere to its undertakings to ensure that its toxic radioactive waste is removed from Malaysia, away from the low-lying peat mangrove and human settlement where it is stored at present;
· refrain from putting diplomatic pressure on Malaysia to accept Lynas' toxic radioactive waste irrespective of the Samurai bond extended by Japan to Malaysia to meet Malaysia’s budget expenses. The loan will be repaid through the hard work of Malaysian, in accordance with the loan terms. Our country and our people should not be made scapegoats of Japan’s geopolitical conflict with China;
· recognise that for as long as Lynas’ radioactive waste remains in Malaysia; its rare earth supply chain is tainted with no social licence to operate and cannot be considered green and clean. That will have reputational implication for any Japanese product made with Lynas’ rare earth elements, especially when China has since 2011 imposed stringent legal limits on its rare earth industry which Lynas would not be able to meet if it uses the same poor standard as it has done here.
Using geopolitical pressure to force Malaysia to accept Lynas’ radioactive waste for the private profit of an Australian company is immoral and politically corrupt. It is essentially subjecting citizens of a debt-ridden developing country to the double injustice of the more severe impact of climate change on the one hand, and the hazards from the processing of rare earth minerals to feed the rising demand for low-emission technologies for the benefits of advanced industrialised nations that are largely responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions that have contributed to the problem of climate change in the first place.
Finally, we call on civil society the world over and concerned individuals to join us in our struggle for democratic governance, for a clean and safe future for Malaysia and to genuinely and effectively address climate change by:
· holding Australia’s Lynas Corporation accountable for its radioactive waste to prevent a second toxic legacy for Malaysia;
· expose Lynas for its dirty rare earth supply chains through transferring the hazardous mid-stream processing operations to Malaysia;
· ensuring that technical solutions for tackling climate change do not lead to developing countries copping double climate injustice such as that resulting from Lynas; and
· calling on UN agencies especially UNFCCC to ensure that low-emission technological solutions proposed for climate change mitigation and adaptation purposes have clean and green supply chains that do not lead to human rights violations or toxic legacy in poor developing countries.
Malaysia Should not be Left with Lynas’ Toxic Radioactive Waste
for the sake of Foreign Direct Investment
We, the undersigned civil society groups and Rakyat are deeply concerned that Malaysia is creating a second cancer-causing radioactive toxic legacy by Australia’s Lynas Corporation – at least 100 times bigger than that from Mitsubishi’s Asian Rare Earth in Bukit Merah. This is the second Japanese sponsored toxic legacy for Malaysia, facilitated by the ousted kleptocratic Najib Government, with the blessing of our Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Pakatan Harapan (PH) Cabinet.
We reiterate our strong position and appeal in our earlier memorandum to Tun and his Cabinet on Lynas dated 10th June 2019 to shut down Lynas immediately. Lynas is a junior mining company with a weak financial position due mainly to its predominantly low-value light rare earth mineral ore. Lynas has neither the intention nor financial means to store its toxic radioactive waste in a safe permanent disposal facility (PDF) away from its current flood and fire-prone peat mangrove swamp environment. Lynas has a massive debt burden made light only through the Japanese generous low-interest loan extension.
In pursue of profit, Lynas exploits Malaysia by playing politics and speculating on rare earth, backed by Japan due to the latter’s torrid relationship with China, its traditional rare earth supplier. For that, Malaysians are expected to endure its environmental pollution and public health hazards amounting to an increased risk of getting cancer for as long as its toxic radioactive waste remains in the country.
Lynas’ waste from the water-leached purification stream are contaminated with radionuclides at 1952ppm of long-live thorium and 29ppm of uranium respectively; toxic heavy metals – 490ppm lead, 111ppm nickel, 795 ppm chromium, 8ppm cadmium and 2890ppm manganese. Other hazardous contaminants are 13 ppm arsenic, mercury and copious amount of chemicals which can mobilise the radionuclides and heavy metals into the surrounding land and waters in times of floods and heavy rainfall due to Lynas’ inadequate waste storage facility. Data from Lynas’ own monitoring stations have already showed serious contamination by lead, nickel, chromium and mercury since 2015. Lynas did not test for contamination by radionuclides even though IAEA has stressed the importance of doing that.
These contaminants are toxic substances that will bio-accumulate over a lifetime and pollute the environment into the future to cause harms in Malaysia. Radionuclides in living cells has the capability to pass onto future generations. Reputable health agencies including World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have warned against these toxic substances as they can cause cancer and/or fatal and chronic health problems when exposed in large enough quantity over time. The burden of costly legacy site clean-up and acute health care will unfairly fall onto Malaysians.
Worse, Malaysia will also bear the tarnished reputation as a convenient toxic waste dumping ground. As Lynas’ massive piles of wastes continue to rise into the otherwise tranquil and beautiful coastal skyline, people will be reminded of Najib’s poisoned chalice, which Tun’s and PH’s took on to leave a toxic legacy forever. For that, Lynas has enjoyed a 12-year tax holiday granted by Najib’s Government blessed by the current PH regime despite the country’s heavy debt burdens and spiralling toxic pollution problems through decades of neglect and lax environmental law enforcement.
Malaysians have been bullied by the Australian High Commissioner and Lynas; and betrayed by our own Government. Lynas has violated its licence conditions and failed to firstly present a safe permanent disposal location and plan; and now reneged on its own undertakings made in 2012 to remove its radioactive and scheduled waste. If we call businesses that have brought in foreign rubbish into Malaysia traitors, then our regulators and those ministers who have backed Lynas instead of fulfilling their duty of care to uphold the law to enforce licence conditions on Lynas are no different.
This systemic and systematic failures of our Government have now continued despite the historical change of Government last May.
Once again, we appeal and call on the Pakatan Harapan Government to:
· enforce the law and uphold MESTECC’s decisions from December 2018 by suspending Lynas’ waste storage licences immediately to prevent further generation of toxic radioactive waste since Australia has refused to accept this waste and Lynas has yet to manage its scheduled waste in accordance with Malaysian law. Lynas’ current inadequate waste storage facility at the back of its rare earth plant are contaminating the environment and waterways. It is inappropriately located in a low-lying peat mangrove swamp close to fishing communities and tourist resorts. This is unsafe and is against established international standards for radiation safety and protection;
· hold Lynas accountable for its massive radioactive waste problems and groundwater contamination it has caused in Malaysia by requiring Lynas to clean up the contamination and to prevent further environmental pollution in the interest of public health;
· independently carry out a full and comprehensive health risk assessment study of the implication of Malaysia ending up with the total quantity of Lynas’ wastes, especially its toxic thorium waste, immediately and before any further decision on licence renewal is made since this study should have been done even before Lynas is given its construction permit back in 2009;
· to better understand the reputational risk to our agricultural produce from potential contamination of rare earth and other toxic elements;
· to study legacy and contamination site clean-up costs to ensure that Lynas bear that costs up-front; and
· carry out a full audit of Lynas’ financial viability in meeting its long-term waste management obligations and responsibilities.
We urge the Australian Government, especially the Australian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur to heed the facts that for decades, Malaysians have invested billions in Australia through property, businesses and sending hundreds of thousands of our best students to further their education in Australia. Many have stayed in Australia to contribute positively to the Australian economy and industries. Malaysians have held Australia in high regard and yet the Australian High Commissioner continues to back Lynas to undermine efforts in Malaysia to push for law enforcement to improve our environmental governance, failing to heed its own Western Australian Government’s preference for Lynas to process its ore locally.
We call on the Australian Government to:
· cease exerting diplomatic pressure on Malaysia to accept Lynas’ radioactive toxic waste to pursue rare earth geopolitical advantages;
· withhold Lynas’ lanthanide concentrate export to Malaysia until Lynas has removed its WLP waste from Malaysia in accordance with its own undertakings in 2012 and managed its scheduled waste within Malaysian regulations.
· compel ASIC to enforce its ASX Corporate Governance Principles requiring corporations to act ethically and responsibly by requiring that Lynas adhere to its licence conditions and undertakings in the interest of Malaysian health and well being regardless of weaknesses of technical capability and law enforcement by the Malaysian Government.
We would like to remind the High Commissioner of the message from a 2011 letter by then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd who stated that “The Australian Government expects Australian companies to operate to high environmental and safety standards in their overseas operations as they would in Australia.” Yet Lynas has reneged on its obligations and responsibility to abide by the IAEA recommendations and its licence conditions, and to act responsibly in accordance with Malaysian regulations.
We also appeal and call on the Japanese Government to:
· compel Lynas to adhere to its undertakings to ensure that its toxic radioactive waste is removed from Malaysia, away from the low-lying peat mangrove and human settlement where it is stored at present;
· refrain from putting diplomatic pressure on Malaysia to accept Lynas' toxic radioactive waste irrespective of the Samurai bond extended by Japan to Malaysia to meet Malaysia’s budget expenses. The loan will be repaid through the hard work of Malaysian, in accordance with the loan terms. Our country and our people should not be made scapegoats of Japan’s geopolitical conflict with China;
· recognise that for as long as Lynas’ radioactive waste remains in Malaysia; its rare earth supply chain is tainted with no social licence to operate and cannot be considered green and clean. That will have reputational implication for any Japanese product made with Lynas’ rare earth elements, especially when China has since 2011 imposed stringent legal limits on its rare earth industry which Lynas would not be able to meet if it uses the same poor standard as it has done here.
Using geopolitical pressure to force Malaysia to accept Lynas’ radioactive waste for the private profit of an Australian company is immoral and politically corrupt. It is essentially subjecting citizens of a debt-ridden developing country to the double injustice of the more severe impact of climate change on the one hand, and the hazards from the processing of rare earth minerals to feed the rising demand for low-emission technologies for the benefits of advanced industrialised nations that are largely responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions that have contributed to the problem of climate change in the first place.
Finally, we call on civil society the world over and concerned individuals to join us in our struggle for democratic governance, for a clean and safe future for Malaysia and to genuinely and effectively address climate change by:
· holding Australia’s Lynas Corporation accountable for its radioactive waste to prevent a second toxic legacy for Malaysia;
· expose Lynas for its dirty rare earth supply chains through transferring the hazardous mid-stream processing operations to Malaysia;
· ensuring that technical solutions for tackling climate change do not lead to developing countries copping double climate injustice such as that resulting from Lynas; and
· calling on UN agencies especially UNFCCC to ensure that low-emission technological solutions proposed for climate change mitigation and adaptation purposes have clean and green supply chains that do not lead to human rights violations or toxic legacy in poor developing countries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)