Issuance Of TOL Shows Lynas Operation Safe

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The issuance of a temporary operation licence (TOL) to Lynas (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd proves the operation of the factory to process rare earth in Gebeng, Pahang, is safe. Malaysian Science Academy supreme council member Prof Ahmad Zaidee Laidin said there would be no obstruction to the processing of rare earth at the plant after this. He said it was also proven that the Lynas factory only carried out an activity to process a controlled chemical, not nuclear materials as alleged by certain quarters. "It is hoped the people are more confident with the technical and security aspects of the factory because TOL is not arbitrarily given out without adherence to the stipulated law," he told Bernama, Thursday. The Atomic Energy Licencing Board (AELB) decided to issue TOL to Lynas for a two-year period effective Sept 3. AELB issued the temporary licence after a meeting on Monday and was satisfied the company had adhered to all stipulated technical and security aspects. The issue of the Lynas Advanced Material Plant (LAMP) project became controversial after several parties including the opposition protested by claiming it would produce radiation levels that could affect health. Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Pahang deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Badrulhisham Abdul Aziz said several chemical technology experts from the United States, Germany and Canada who were invited to inspect the factory conceded that the Lynas factory was safe. Dr Badrulhisham, who is also an expert for purpose of reference in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on LAMP, hopes the people will have confidence in the government's capability of bringing major reforms for the good of society and nation. On June 29, the committee tabled the result of its report in the Dewan Rakyat and suggested that TOL be issued to enable Lynas to operate. -- BERNAMA