Govt nod for PSC to look into Lynas issue

Saturday March 17, 2012

Govt nod for PSC to look into Lynas issue

By SIRA HABIBU
sira@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has agreed to set up a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to look into controversies surrounding the Lynas rare earth plant in Pahang.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the decision was made during the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
“I have to prepare the terms of reference and procedure before announcing the details,” he said.
Nazri said he would call for a press conference in his Padang Rengas constituency in Perak today.
The Lynas issue has been in the news following concerns about the disposal of radioactive waste.
In an immediate reaction, MCA welcomed the establishment of the PSC, saying it showed the Government's willingness to listen to the rakyat.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the move also reflected the Government's concern over the issue.
“The Government is concerned about the welfare and health of the people but efforts to attract foreign investors are also important,” he said.
He also hoped that the Opposition would not use the committee as a platform to further politicise the issue.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Cabinet wanted PSC to look at the issue from all perspectives.
“So far, we have been getting assurances from Lynas.”
He said the ministry was also working closely with the Malaysian Medical Association to monitor the health situation in Kuantan.
Liow said the issue warranted scrutiny in view of the health issues pertaining to a rare earth processing plant in Bukit Merah, Perak, that was forced to close down in the early 1990s.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012