Lynas Rare Earth Processing Plant Safest In The World - Parliamentary Select Committee

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), May 11 (Bernama) -- The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Lynas has maintained that the company's rare earth processing plant is the safest in the world, contrary to claims by certain quarters that it will be dangerous to residents when in operation. Committee chairman Mohamed Khaled Nordin said a visit conducted by a PSC delegation to the plant in Gebeng, here, found that it was safe like any chemical plant and had also acquired the most sophisticated technology. "Several experts have confirmed that this plant is safe and has state-of-the-art facilities, hence helping Malaysia move into the 21st century and gain knowledge in advanced technology, search and development, and human capital development," he said after the visit. Khaled, who led the six-member delegation for the visit, was wholly satisfied with the three-hour explanation given by Lynas. "We would also like to stress here that Lynas is a company that can be trusted as they willingly gave us all the facts and explanation that we wanted. "In fact, the claim that Lynas is built in a settlement area is not true as it is located about six kilometres from the nearest settlement," he said. Khaled also reiterated that the argument why Lynas was built in Kuantan and not China, was based on economic considerations and it was not the case of the plant not adhering to the conditions set by the Malaysian authorities. "The Lynas management has taken into account the highest safety aspects determined by the Malaysian government, including environmental impact assessment and radiological impact assessment before being allowed to operate. "Therefore, the public should not be unduly worried about the safety aspects of the plant. "I have also been told that Lynas would open its doors to any quarters wishing to visit the plant or to ask questions on its operations. But those coming to visit should not set unreasonable conditions," said Khaled, who is also Higher Education Minister of Malaysia. The other PSC members who also visited the Lynas on Thursday today included members of parliament Zulkifli Noordin (Kulim-Bandar Baharu) and Abd Rahman Dahalan. Also present was Lynas chief executive officer Marshal Ahmad. -- BERNAMA