INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY STARTS WORK ON LYNAS CASE

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert panel that met in Kuantan Monday started off their work meeting up with representatives of the state authority and related state technical departments.

The panel is here to investigate the health and safety aspects of the proposed Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng, in east coast state of Pahang.

A statement issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) here Monday said the panel also met representatives of the various groups including the "concerned citizen of Kuantan group" led by Kuantan Member of Parliament, Fuziah Salleh.

The public hearing will continue Tuesday.

Following Fuziah's submission to the expert panel, she commented that the panel did not include a medical expert in the team.

The expert panel was appointed by the IAEA and comprises experts on health and safety issues related to radiation, MITI said.

IAEA teams have carried out missions of a similar nature in other parts of the world and the Lynas case is not unique, it added.