Lynas info satisfies committee

(The Star) – The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Lynas is satisfied with the explanation given by the rare earth mining company.

PSC chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Lynas had been very open about its operations.

“Lynas said its plant is open to public scrutiny. However, those who wish to visit the plant should not impose conditions,” he said after a visit to the plant in Gebeng yesterday.

The PSC was briefed by Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Mashal Ahmad, radiological safety adviser Prof Ismail Bahari and plant general manager Khairul Salleh Jais.

PSC member Datuk Zulkifli Noordin, who is also Kulim Bandar Baru MP, concurred with Mohamed Khaled that claims about Lynas being secretive were unfounded.

Mohamed Khaled added that PSC was told that 1% of Lynas’ sale would go towards waste management and research and development.

The PSC comprises Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng, Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri and Tebrau MP Teng Boon Soon. The committee later held a public hearing at Universiti Malaysia Pahang.

Meanwhile, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas (SMSL) chairman Tan Bun Teet requested PSC to grant him immunity from libel in exchange for the revelation of “crucial evidence” to prove the plant was not safe.

When Mohamed Khaled told him the committee did not have the power to grant it, Tan staged a walkout.

He told reporters that he would reveal the evidence in court.