Anti-Lynas MP: Minister rubbing salt into the wound with manifesto excuse

Bentong MP Wong Tack, a vocal activist against Lynas' rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, said Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof was rubbing salt into the wound with his justification not to close down the factory.

Mohd Redzuan had said Pakatan Harapan leaders should stop raising the issue as closing down Lynas was never included in the coalition's election manifesto.

Wong Tack (photo) said such a position reflected "moral bankruptcy and complete disrespect to the rule of law".

"For almost a decade, many current Harapan elected representatives have gone to the streets with the people to stop Lynas.

"The commitment to stop Lynas has not only been made in public speeches and media statements but also via the signing of the Stop Lynas petitions conducted by the rakyat.

"The failure to fulfil our commitment to close down Lynas has already created serious trust deficit towards the Harapan government.

"But spinning the issue by saying it is not a promise in the Harapan's manifesto is rubbing salt into a sore wound," said Wong Tack.

Furthermore, he said, while the manifesto did not specifically mention Lynas, it made the commitment to enforce strict rules to ensure foreign companies in Malaysia do not contribute to pollution.

Putrajaya in August had decided to allow Lynas' factory to stay but impose more stringent conditions.

This includes setting a four-year time frame for Lynas to ensure radioactive waste from future rare earth ore mined in Australia will be separated out before it is sent to Malaysia for further processing.

Wong Tack also questioned Mohd Redzuan's constant insistence that the Lynas' facility is safe.

"Please name and give us the credentials of the so-called 'experts'.

"The previous government has committed many wrongdoings with regards to Lynas. We were given the mandate to right the wrongs. Let’s not betray the people," the DAP lawmaker said.