No decision yet on Lynas PM

KUALA LUMPUR; The government has not made a final decision on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant Project and will not do so until it is fully satisfied that the plant will be safe, said Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

The prime minister said this was to ensure that the people would not feel that anything untoward would happen to them,-including in the long term.

"We have to go through the process of convincing the people that the plant will be safe," he said during a one-hour chat with members of the public via the NSTLive Chat Session on.the NST website, yesterday.

Najib was asked whether the government has made a decision on the Lynas issue since it had announced three weeks ago that it would be made soon.

Last month, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said a decision on the appeal by three individuals against the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant's temporary operating licence (TOL) would be made in two weeks.

Ongkili said he went through the 14 submissions raised as the basis of their appeal, but needed more time to consult related experts and authorities before making a decision.

Najib also was not spared questions on the general election date and, in reply, he said he was looking at all possibilities before making a decision.

He said the government would continue its engagement with the urban voters, including the Chinese voters.

"They have to understand that their future will be better with the Barisan Nasional as we can ensure peace, stability, harmony and a more prosperous society.

"The major difference is that the degree of certainty with regard to our ability to deliver is much greater," he said.

Najib was also asked about China's decision to allow Malaysia to have a pair of pandas, which he said is a great symbol of the warm and close relations between the two countries.

He said the pandas are also treasured animals in China and their presence in this country will be a major attraction to both local and foreign tourists. "I'm confident that the pandas will be a major attraction for Malaysians and visitors alike," he said.

The China Wildlife Conservation Association will be loaning two baby pandas for 10 years and the pair will be placed in Taman Wetlands, Putrajaya. 

-Bernama

Resource: The Sun, Page: 2

Date: Wednesday, 13 June 2012