Fuziah: PH govt is environment-friendly
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Fuziah Salleh has given an assurance of the government’s commitment in carrying out a review to ensure an environmentfriendly operation by Lynas Malaysia.
Fuziah, in an open letter addressed to Australia Lynas Corporation Ltd chief executive officer Amanda Lacaze, said a review of operations at Lynas’ plant would be guided by a sustainable development framework and investment.
She said the government had expressed its commitment through its manifesto to make sustainability a part of its administrative policies.
“Through the Pakatan Harapan manifesto’s 39 promises, under ‘Balancing the Economic Growth with Environmental Protection’, we promised to govern the country based on a sustainable development principle.
“In short, it (PH) will be an environment-friendly government,” said Fuziah, who is Lynas Executive Review Committee chairman.
“The committee was formed to review the safety aspects of operations at Lynas Advanced Materials Plant.
“The chairman and members, who were appointed by the respective minister, would represent the government in the review.”
She said the review centred on Radioactive Waste Management Plan.
“The committee would look into safety aspects, such as health, social and environmental effects.”
She said reports from previous reviews, like the Parliament committee, and suggestions by the International Atomic Energy Agency would be taken into consideration.
She said the committee welcomed suggestions by Lynas as the hearing would be open to the public.
“The committee is aware that the views of Lynas and its staff as stakeholders must be weighed in. The review process would be carried out in an open and transparent manner.”
A think tank warned that any review of investment in Malaysia must be industry-specific.
Firdaos Rosli from the Institute of Strategic and International Studies said the government should not be seen as selective of companies or projects when carrying out reviews.
He said it was paramount to maintain investor confidence as several planned and ongoing mega projects had gone through prior scrutiny.
Lacaze yesterday sought a fair and objective review of the project, saying Lynas had yet to be informed of the scope of the review or its terms of reference.