This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on April 11, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 200 people from various non-government organisations (NGOs) led by “Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas” gathered at the Parliament gate to hand over a memorandum to the government yesterday.

Among their demands were to suspend Lynas’ operating licence and ensure the company removes its toxic waste from Malaysia.

Those who came to show support included Lembah Pantai member of parliament (MP) Fahmi Fadzil, Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, and Bentong MP Wong Tack.

“The statement by [Prime Minister] Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad [for Lynas to operate safely] is very encouraging... [But] our stand is firm. Lynas must remove their toxic waste from Malaysia,” said Wong.

Chief Whip of PKR, Datuk Johari Abdul, received the memorandum on behalf of the cabinet, while Fuziah received a copy for Dr Mahathir.

Wong received a copy on behalf of the Parliamentary Caucus on Monitoring Lynas.

As a sign of protest, the group also presented a mock flight ticket to Australia for Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.

“We find that [Redzuan’s] many statements about Lynas are erroneous,” said Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas chairman Tan Bun Teet.

“So we present a flight ticket to him and a packet of soil for him to clear his understanding on the [issues in the] transport of soil across borders,” he said.

On a related matter, the group also expressed concern over the possible resumption of bauxite mining operations in Kuantan.

Some members of the group presented soil that was tainted red due to bauxite mining to Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar, who previously announced that the industry would continue, in view of its business potential and high royalties for the state.

Earlier, a pro-Lynas group — also of around 200 people comprising Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd employees and supporters of the project in surrounding areas in Gebeng — was on the opposite side of the road leading to Parliament.

The pro-Lynas group, too, handed over a memorandum to the Special Officer of the Prime Minister’s Department.

“We thank the Prime Minister for seeing the matter as it is. On the new conditions set [for Lynas to continue operation], we request adequate time to [adhere] to the new requirements,” said Lynas Malaysia human resources senior manager Jumaat Mansor.