Anti-Lynas gathering fails to draw crowd

(Bernama) — A peaceful gathering organised by the Himpunan Hijau anti-Lynas group in front of the Gebeng industrial area here last night failed to draw the anticipated participation when only 500 people turned up.

The gathering was held in conjunction with the 2013 New Year celebration.

A check by Bernama found that most of the people turned up with umbrellas due to a drizzle which started in the evening.

They lighted candles and shouted slogans and held up banners against the Lynas rare earth plant.

Just before midnight, activist and national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said recited a poem ‘Tanah Yang Terdera’ (The Tortured Land).

The participants dispersed after the countdown to midnight, under the watchful eyes of several policemen.