No Change To Govt's Position Demanding Lynas Remove Residue Out Of Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- There will be no change to the government’s position in demanding that Australian mining firm, Lynas Corporation, remove residue generated by its Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Kuantan out of Malaysia, according to a joint statement issued by four ministers. The ministers are Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Douglas Unggah Embas and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai. They said that the Cabinet on Wednesday reaffirmed the joint statement they had made on Dec 10 relating to the removal of the residue out of the country. "Reiterating public health and safety as the highest priority, the government will ensure that all related government agencies closely monitor the operation of LAMP, especially on the handling and the management of the residue generated by it," they said in the statement. This is consistent with the conditions stated in the Temporary Operating Licence (TOL). In their earlier statement, the ministers said the obligation imposed on Lynas in this matter is very clear, and that the government would not compromise the health and safety of the people and the environment in dealing with the issue of Lynas. -- BERNAMA