"...However, deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Jaafar reminded that the report is embargoed until 11.30am tomorrow to allow the Dewan Rakyat to debate its findings on whether the rare earths refinery posed hazards to health and the environment...." - Malaysiakini
Why embargo the report? Should it not be made public before the Parliamentarians debate on the said report? Let us not forget that the Members of Parliament(MPs) are the representatives of the people - and as such, they certainly would want to get the views and opinions (nay...instructions) of the people that they represent on the said report before they had effectively debate the report. Their constituents certainly have a say of what their reps are going to say in Parliament....
Maybe Najib and his BN MPs have this odd understanding that democracy means that the people have a choice to choose their representatives once every 5 years by casting their votes during General Elections, and thereafter these reps have the freedom to say and do things on behalf of their constituents without the need to go back to the people and get their feedback, opinions, stance ....'instructions' on how a MP should be arguing in Parliament. As such that Lynas Report really should have been made public a long time before it is debated in Parliament - not embargoed as it is now (i.e. kept 'secret' ...away from the public eye) until the debate happens...What about the people - do they not have a say? Or will there be yet another debate thereafter, after MPs have the time to get instruction from their 'Bosses'...
Most MPs are not familiar with the issue of Lynas, the scientific arguments, etc .... so certainly, it is most essential that they be properly instructed by their 'constituents' before they can reasonably debate on this report....
Personally, I am of the opinion that the Opposition MPs should not have 'boycotted' this committee - and should have been part of this committee to ensure also that the final report is reflective of the findings of the committee. Remember, there is always the opportunity of coming out with a MINORITY REPORT by any number of the said Parliamentary Select Committee.... (But their decision is their decision - and they may have had their reasons but....)
Odd also is the fact, that this PSC had submitted its report hastily even before its deadline expired - and we all know that this is not at all an easy issue or question, and there is much much objections....
It would have been good if this most important select committee's proceedings were broadcasted live as this certainly is an issue that hundreds of thousands...may millions of Malaysian are most interested in...Maybe, in the near future (or maybe when there is a change of government), Malaysians will be able to follow these proceedings live on TV (or at the very least on radio)
Lynas PSC report tabled in Dewan Rakyat
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The parliamentary select committee on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) report was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The select committee, formed on March 20, submitted its findings and recommendations on the plant in Gebeng, Pahang even before its three-month deadline expires.
However,
deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Jaafar reminded that the report is embargoed
until 11.30am tomorrow to allow the Dewan Rakyat to debate its findings
on whether the rare earths refinery posed hazards to health and the
environment.
Previously, it was reported that that the PSC had proposed to the government to impose public consultation sessions prior to launching new high-impact projects, especially one that involves public safety.
Malay-language daily Berita Harian, quoting a source, reported that the people should be made aware about the facts of such projects to avoid political manipulations.
The PSC is headed by Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and the members are Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud), Teng Boon Soon (BN-Tebrau), Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong), Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) and Zulkifli Noordin (Independent-Kulim Bandar Baru).
Three spots were also offered to opposition parliamentarians. However, they decided to not to be involved, insisting that it was a “waste of time” since the government had refused to issue a stop-work order on the plant until the PSC resolved its inquiry.- Malaysiakini, 18/6/2012, Lynas PSC report tabled in Dewan Rakyat
The select committee, formed on March 20, submitted its findings and recommendations on the plant in Gebeng, Pahang even before its three-month deadline expires.
However,
deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Jaafar reminded that the report is embargoed
until 11.30am tomorrow to allow the Dewan Rakyat to debate its findings
on whether the rare earths refinery posed hazards to health and the
environment.Previously, it was reported that that the PSC had proposed to the government to impose public consultation sessions prior to launching new high-impact projects, especially one that involves public safety.
Malay-language daily Berita Harian, quoting a source, reported that the people should be made aware about the facts of such projects to avoid political manipulations.
The PSC is headed by Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and the members are Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud), Teng Boon Soon (BN-Tebrau), Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong), Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) and Zulkifli Noordin (Independent-Kulim Bandar Baru).
Three spots were also offered to opposition parliamentarians. However, they decided to not to be involved, insisting that it was a “waste of time” since the government had refused to issue a stop-work order on the plant until the PSC resolved its inquiry.- Malaysiakini, 18/6/2012, Lynas PSC report tabled in Dewan Rakyat
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