KUANTAN: The "Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas" (SMSL) environmental activist group was granted leave by the Kuantan High Court on Tuesday for judicial review of the temporary operating licence (TOL) given to the controversial Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP).
At the same time, SMSL was also granted leave to challenge the decision of the minister of science, technology and innovation not to revoke the Lynas temporary operating licence.
"SMSL crossed the first hurdle in getting its two judicial review applications accepted by Justice Mariana Yahya.
"We believe the minister has acted unfairly towards us and his decision was unjust. We are now taking the matter to court to review it and to revoke the TOL," SMSL spokesperson Tan Bun Teet said in a statement on Tuesday. The RM2.5 billion rare-earth refinery plant, located at Gebeng, Kuantan, was granted TOL on Jan 30.
However, many of the residents opposed the decision and voiced concerns regarding the waste generated by the plant, which they claim will pose health hazards
However, Lynas Corp has consistendy maintained that waste from the Gebeng plant is not hazardous, and can be easily recycled for commercial applications.
Following a massive anti-Lynas rally on Feb 26 in Kuantan, a parliamentary select committee (PSC) was set up to look into the safety standards of the project.
The PSC in June concluded that the TOL should be granted as the plant has met all requirements and that the project has complied with the Malaysian standards and laws, which are equivalent to international practices.
Resource: The Sun, Page: 6
Date: Thursday, 30 August 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment