PSC Chaiman Doesn't Mind Living Next To The Plant

KUALA LUMPUR: The chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin (BN-Pasir Gudang) said he would not hesitate to live next to the plant, maintaining that it is the "safest" plant in the world.

"Why not?" he told a press conference today when asked if he would live next to the plant now that the committee is satisfied that LAMP is a chemical factory that produces rare earth.

He stressed that the Australian rare earth plant, which is located some 2km away from the nearest house in Gebeng, is "different" from the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plants.

It was reported on May 10, that Khaled had called LAMP "the safest rare earth plant in the world".

"It is different because of the technology used. The ARE at that time was manually operated. But now among all the rare earth factories that are in operation, they (Lynas) are the most advanced.

"This is what we have been told by international experts," Khaled said.

He rubbished concerns raised on radiation pollution from the thorium.

"Some people even held the thorium like this (in their hand)...nothing happened," he said, reiterating that it is not a nuclear plant and does not carry out mining activities.

He said the main radioactive element in the residue from the plant is "very low" and meets international safety standards.

"Thorium won't dissolve, that's why it can be stored.

"Now even in the United States, by their legislation last year, they are talking about continuous and secure supply of thorium and even Singapore is looking at thorium as a future energy (source)," Khaled said.

Earlier, about 50 residents who live near the plant, staged a protest outside Parliament lobby to question PSC's decision.

They said that PSC's statement shows that a conclusion has already been reached, even before hearing protests from the residents.

"What we had to present would have jeopardised the defamation suit," said Tan Jo Hann, a spokesman, referring to the ongoing suit by Lynas against some of the NGOs and individuals from the group.