FELDA settlers and workers, and the people ought to have been consulted before State or Federal government approves any development in the area.
Well, we read media reports that the Pahang Barisan Nasional government approved the proposal of Bukit Ketam as the Permanent Depository Facility(PDF)? Permanent - well remember Highland Towers, and just yesterday another building under construction collapsed...The plans may be perfect, the construction 'perfect'...but so many factors can arise making even a 100% safe and permanent structures...??
Lynas repeated that the state government of Pahang had issued its consent to the site at Bukit Ketam for the PDF for the Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue. It said that the state government had issued a letter to Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd and agreed with its proposal subject to conditions relating to approval of the federal government.
Well, we read media reports that the Pahang Barisan Nasional government approved the proposal of Bukit Ketam as the Permanent Depository Facility(PDF)? Permanent - well remember Highland Towers, and just yesterday another building under construction collapsed...The plans may be perfect, the construction 'perfect'...but so many factors can arise making even a 100% safe and permanent structures...??
Did the Pahang government consult with the people living and working near the site? Since Bukit Ketam is rather close to Trengganu, was the Trengannu government and people consulted?
Around Bukit Ketam, there are FELDA and possibly other plantations.
Around Bukit Ketam, there are FELDA and possibly other plantations.
Looking at Google Maps, there are several FELDA communities near that site - FELDA Bukit Kuantan(which is about 3 Km away according to Google Map). FELDA Bukit Goh is about 9 Km away? FELDA Neram Satu in Trengganu is about 6 Km away? Plantations - where is the Boaundary - because workers may be working even closer to Bukit Ketam and the proposed PDF? Wonder whether these people in the area - be they owners/FELDA settlers or workers were consulted by the Pahang government or the relevant District/Town Council before approval was given? Did they give their INFORMED consent?
BEFORE, the law required the placement of a big NOTICE BOARD - which informed people of proposed development be it some building, and it would also apply to a factory and 'permanent depository facility(PDF)? People were asked to submit their comments/objections/approvals to the relevant authority within a certain date? Thereafter, if needed, the local council also calls for public hearings where people have a right to raise comments and questions? ALL THESE DONE BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Applications IS APPROVED OR NOT. The authorities wanted to know the PEOPLE's views, especially those staying or working in the area or nearby.
Then the law go changed - Now, the right to comment/object/agree is ONLY for OWNERS of adjacent Lots. No more 'NOTICE BOARDS' - only a letter to the owners. However, beside my lot, a Taman Perumahan was built, and there were no notice received by my mother or any of the other joined owners of the Lot beside the Taman - The relevant government bodies must ensure this notice and the right to object is given..
Recently, there was new structure being speedily built on a vacant site in front of the Taman - Again, no one knows what it is?
The practice of requiring Notice Boards be placed when anyone submits an application for development/construction - thus giving people living or working in the area and others the RIGHT TO OBJECT must be restored by the new government/s..
LYNAS announced that Bukit Ketam PDF site has been approved by the Pahang Government - then later, the relevant State Exco member was reported saying...
Is the Pahang government trying to shift all responsibility and blame to the Federal government? If any State government they do not want your factory in their State, that is it - the company will have to pack and leave. Same for Local Council's annual approval - if denied, you cannot anymore carry on your business.. Remember Trengganu refused Lynas - see While Trengganu said 'No' - Pahang agreed to allow a dangerous rare earth plant in Najib's home state
Now, for the PDF site or any factory to be built anywhere, there is a requirement of ALL - the Local Government(the Local Council), the State government and in this case also the Federal Government to approve.
So, now the BN Pahang government has agreed...and most likely the BN Local government also agreed - and it all depends on what the PH Federal government does?
Problem now is the Local Councillors are all 'politically chosen and appointed by the State government, and not democratically elected by the people. So, will the LOCAL COUNCIL OBJECT when the State Government has given the 'green light'...to object may mean the possibility of being removed OR not being appointed again as Local Councillor or Mayor/LC President? They thus will not be so concerned about what the people in their Local Government area thinks or wants. [Did the Local Council conduct a referendum...or discussions with the local people?]
The other major problem is that the JKKK and even Ketua Kampungs are also political appointments - not democratically elected by the people. So, they too, if asked may simply agree with what the State wants...Hence the importance of going back to the people directly...that is until we have DEMOCRATY where people chose their Local Councillors, head of communities, Penghulu, etc
State government - Who decided really? The Menteri Besar and the State Exco? Was this even brought to the State Legislative Assembly for debate and approval? Why also have not the Opposition ADUNs even spoken up on this issue...
Federal Government decides - not just a certain government Ministry or Agency...AELB does not make the 'final decision'..
LYNAS - Before GE14, many of their politicians talked about getting Lynas to return the waste back to Australia or some other country...then PH's stance weakened, and now they agreed to a 'Permanent Depository Facility'? Will any permanent facility or structure be ever safe...?
There was much protest from a lot of people on Lynas - WHY have they gone silent? Trust in the new PH government? Trust in their MPs and ADUNs? OR are they simply afraid to be SUED by LYNAS... In the past persons have been sued..including media...
Is media also not reporting much because of the same FEAR?
And Lynas has again threatened to SUE...
Time for Malaysia to have laws that prevent such legal suits against people, media and Human Rights Defenders. Maybe, in the interim period, there should be a limit of damages - maybe no more than RM500 - and no orders of cost... The threat and such legal suits do impact people's freedom of expression and opinion, and more importantly their right to fight for their livelihood, health and well-being.
The NEW government of Malaysia, and other State governments should adopt the policy of LISTENING to the people. In Switzerland, even for the building of a small bridge, there will be a REFERENDUM...why can be have a similar practice in Malaysia?
Is the Lynas factory unsafe ...or its waste dangerous to lives, livelihood and environment - that is not the issue. The issue is that the PEOPLE must decide what they want, and the best way of doing this for now is by way of a REFERENDUM...that is until we have democratically elected leaders in our communities and also the Local Government - even then, the people decides always...
Recently, there was new structure being speedily built on a vacant site in front of the Taman - Again, no one knows what it is?
The practice of requiring Notice Boards be placed when anyone submits an application for development/construction - thus giving people living or working in the area and others the RIGHT TO OBJECT must be restored by the new government/s..
LYNAS announced that Bukit Ketam PDF site has been approved by the Pahang Government - then later, the relevant State Exco member was reported saying...
What? The Pahang State government agreed with proposed site in Bukit Ketam but is now waiting for AELB to decide - What about the people living and working in the area - do they not have a say on whether they are agreeable or not to the PDF site?State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Abdul Rahim Muda said once the site was identified, the federal government would make the official announcement.In a text message today, he denied that Bukit Ketam had been chosen as the site, as announced by Lynas several days ago. “Not finalised yet, still waiting for AELB to decide," he said.
Is the Pahang government trying to shift all responsibility and blame to the Federal government? If any State government they do not want your factory in their State, that is it - the company will have to pack and leave. Same for Local Council's annual approval - if denied, you cannot anymore carry on your business.. Remember Trengganu refused Lynas - see While Trengganu said 'No' - Pahang agreed to allow a dangerous rare earth plant in Najib's home state
Now, for the PDF site or any factory to be built anywhere, there is a requirement of ALL - the Local Government(the Local Council), the State government and in this case also the Federal Government to approve.
So, now the BN Pahang government has agreed...and most likely the BN Local government also agreed - and it all depends on what the PH Federal government does?
Problem now is the Local Councillors are all 'politically chosen and appointed by the State government, and not democratically elected by the people. So, will the LOCAL COUNCIL OBJECT when the State Government has given the 'green light'...to object may mean the possibility of being removed OR not being appointed again as Local Councillor or Mayor/LC President? They thus will not be so concerned about what the people in their Local Government area thinks or wants. [Did the Local Council conduct a referendum...or discussions with the local people?]
The other major problem is that the JKKK and even Ketua Kampungs are also political appointments - not democratically elected by the people. So, they too, if asked may simply agree with what the State wants...Hence the importance of going back to the people directly...that is until we have DEMOCRATY where people chose their Local Councillors, head of communities, Penghulu, etc
State government - Who decided really? The Menteri Besar and the State Exco? Was this even brought to the State Legislative Assembly for debate and approval? Why also have not the Opposition ADUNs even spoken up on this issue...
Federal Government decides - not just a certain government Ministry or Agency...AELB does not make the 'final decision'..
LYNAS - Before GE14, many of their politicians talked about getting Lynas to return the waste back to Australia or some other country...then PH's stance weakened, and now they agreed to a 'Permanent Depository Facility'? Will any permanent facility or structure be ever safe...?
There was much protest from a lot of people on Lynas - WHY have they gone silent? Trust in the new PH government? Trust in their MPs and ADUNs? OR are they simply afraid to be SUED by LYNAS... In the past persons have been sued..including media...
Is media also not reporting much because of the same FEAR?
And Lynas has again threatened to SUE...
In a statement credited to Lynas company secretary Andrew Arnold, it added that it would not hesitate to take legal action against those who "persist in defaming our people and our company".
Time for Malaysia to have laws that prevent such legal suits against people, media and Human Rights Defenders. Maybe, in the interim period, there should be a limit of damages - maybe no more than RM500 - and no orders of cost... The threat and such legal suits do impact people's freedom of expression and opinion, and more importantly their right to fight for their livelihood, health and well-being.
The NEW government of Malaysia, and other State governments should adopt the policy of LISTENING to the people. In Switzerland, even for the building of a small bridge, there will be a REFERENDUM...why can be have a similar practice in Malaysia?
Is the Lynas factory unsafe ...or its waste dangerous to lives, livelihood and environment - that is not the issue. The issue is that the PEOPLE must decide what they want, and the best way of doing this for now is by way of a REFERENDUM...that is until we have democratically elected leaders in our communities and also the Local Government - even then, the people decides always...
Lynas: We will sue detractors for 'false statements' over Bukit Ketam facility
Lynas Malaysia has come out
swinging against anti-Lynas activists for making what it calls "false
statements and inflammatory accusations with the apparent intent of
misleading the Malaysian people" over its recent announcement of the approval of the permanent disposal facility (PDF) in Bukit Ketam.
In a statement credited to Lynas company secretary Andrew Arnold, it added that it would not hesitate to take legal action against those who "persist in defaming our people and our company".
Lynas addressed one of the key complaints made by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh that the selection of Bukit Ketam could compromise the Semambu treatment plant which processes drinking water for 600,000 residents of Kuantan.
Lynas said: "The site identified at Bukit Ketam is not in a water catchment area."
"The anti-Lynas activists have also made uninformed and misleading statements about the effect of Bukit Ketam on Kuantan’s water supply.
"External experts have confirmed that the site at Bukit Ketam is not in a water catchment area while expert studies have shown that the PDF can be constructed to ensure there is no pathway for material to reach the water supply," it added.
Arnold's statement also highlighted that four independent scientific reviews had found that Lynas Malaysia to be low risk and compliant with relevant regulation.
Lynas repeated that the state government of Pahang had issued its consent to the site at Bukit Ketam for the PDF for the Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue.
It said that the state government had issued a letter to Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd and agreed with its proposal subject to conditions relating to approval of the federal government.
It added that the consent letter was one of the key criteria set by the Malaysian government for the renewal of Lynas’ operating license.
In its statement, Lynas went on detail its adherence to procedure and emphasised that before construction of the storage facility, further work will be undertaken following international guidelines and regulatory requirements.
"We will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the state and federal governments.
"Lynas is committed to providing accurate and factual information to the people of Malaysia and all of our stakeholders," said Arnold. - Malaysiakini, 6/2/2020
In a statement credited to Lynas company secretary Andrew Arnold, it added that it would not hesitate to take legal action against those who "persist in defaming our people and our company".
Lynas addressed one of the key complaints made by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh that the selection of Bukit Ketam could compromise the Semambu treatment plant which processes drinking water for 600,000 residents of Kuantan.
Lynas said: "The site identified at Bukit Ketam is not in a water catchment area."
"The anti-Lynas activists have also made uninformed and misleading statements about the effect of Bukit Ketam on Kuantan’s water supply.
"External experts have confirmed that the site at Bukit Ketam is not in a water catchment area while expert studies have shown that the PDF can be constructed to ensure there is no pathway for material to reach the water supply," it added.
Arnold's statement also highlighted that four independent scientific reviews had found that Lynas Malaysia to be low risk and compliant with relevant regulation.
Lynas repeated that the state government of Pahang had issued its consent to the site at Bukit Ketam for the PDF for the Water Leach Purification (WLP) residue.
It said that the state government had issued a letter to Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd and agreed with its proposal subject to conditions relating to approval of the federal government.
It added that the consent letter was one of the key criteria set by the Malaysian government for the renewal of Lynas’ operating license.
In its statement, Lynas went on detail its adherence to procedure and emphasised that before construction of the storage facility, further work will be undertaken following international guidelines and regulatory requirements.
"We will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the state and federal governments.
"Lynas is committed to providing accurate and factual information to the people of Malaysia and all of our stakeholders," said Arnold. - Malaysiakini, 6/2/2020
Choice of Bukit Ketam as Lynas PDF site not finalised yet
(file
pix) The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) will choose the site for
Lynas Corporation’s permanent disposal facility (PDF) to process water
leach purification (WLP) residue. NSTP
KUANTAN:
The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) will choose the site for Lynas
Corporation’s permanent disposal facility (PDF) to process water leach
purification (WLP) residue.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Abdul Rahim Muda said once the site was identified, the federal government would make the official announcement.
In a text message today, he denied that Bukit Ketam had been chosen as the site, as announced by Lynas several days ago.
“Not finalised yet, still waiting for AELB to decide," he said.
On whether the federal government or Pahang government will be making the announcement on the new site once confirmed, he briefly replied "federal government".
The latest development will certainly raise eyebrows as Lynas secretary Andrew Arnold, in a statement on Jan 30, had announced that the state government had given its consent for the company to build a PDF site in the Bukit Ketam area here for its WLP residue.
He said Lynas Malaysia had appointed Gading Senggara Sdn Bhd (GSSB) as the contractor to manage the entire PDF project with an estimated total amount of US$98 million (RM400.7 million).
Yesterday, Kuantan member of parliament Fuziah Salleh, in voicing her concerns, said the Pahang government should be the one to announce details on the selected site and not Lynas.
She said the state government should take full responsibility and the move to remain silent could cause uneasiness among the people here.
Meanwhile, checks revealed that Bukit Ketam was located near the state's border with Terengganu, and the hilly area is surrounded by forest reserve and oil palm plantation.
It is learnt that there are no houses in the vicinity except for a rock quarry.
Last August, AELB said Lynas operation permit had been renewed for another six months and the plant must comply with three conditions imposed on them.
One of the conditions requires Lynas to identify a specific location to build a PDF and also obtain a written permission from the state government to use the location.
On Nov 19 last year, during the state assembly sitting. Abdul Rahim said the state government had received an application from Lynas on potential PDF sites and was scrutinising the suitability of the locations.
He said the application would also be referred to the related agencies including the AELB to examine the sites and obtain feedback from the experts.
The New Straits Times has contacted Lynas for comments on the matter. _ NST, 2/2/2020
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Abdul Rahim Muda said once the site was identified, the federal government would make the official announcement.
In a text message today, he denied that Bukit Ketam had been chosen as the site, as announced by Lynas several days ago.
“Not finalised yet, still waiting for AELB to decide," he said.
On whether the federal government or Pahang government will be making the announcement on the new site once confirmed, he briefly replied "federal government".
The latest development will certainly raise eyebrows as Lynas secretary Andrew Arnold, in a statement on Jan 30, had announced that the state government had given its consent for the company to build a PDF site in the Bukit Ketam area here for its WLP residue.
He said Lynas Malaysia had appointed Gading Senggara Sdn Bhd (GSSB) as the contractor to manage the entire PDF project with an estimated total amount of US$98 million (RM400.7 million).
Yesterday, Kuantan member of parliament Fuziah Salleh, in voicing her concerns, said the Pahang government should be the one to announce details on the selected site and not Lynas.
She said the state government should take full responsibility and the move to remain silent could cause uneasiness among the people here.
Meanwhile, checks revealed that Bukit Ketam was located near the state's border with Terengganu, and the hilly area is surrounded by forest reserve and oil palm plantation.
It is learnt that there are no houses in the vicinity except for a rock quarry.
Last August, AELB said Lynas operation permit had been renewed for another six months and the plant must comply with three conditions imposed on them.
One of the conditions requires Lynas to identify a specific location to build a PDF and also obtain a written permission from the state government to use the location.
On Nov 19 last year, during the state assembly sitting. Abdul Rahim said the state government had received an application from Lynas on potential PDF sites and was scrutinising the suitability of the locations.
He said the application would also be referred to the related agencies including the AELB to examine the sites and obtain feedback from the experts.
The New Straits Times has contacted Lynas for comments on the matter. _ NST, 2/2/2020
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