KUANTAN: The rare earth processing company Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Lynas) which operates in Gebeng Industrial Area here, continues to be at the centre of the public’s eye after its operating license that was to expire on Sept 2 had been extended to March 2, 2020.
However, the extension granted by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board on Aug 15, came with several conditions that Lynas must comply with, including a plan for the construction of a ‘cracking and leaching’ facilities abroad.
Lynas must also identify and obtain approval from the state government to build a permanent disposal facility (PDF) for water leached purification (WLP) residues, an issue that had been hotly debated.
The construction of the PDF and the WLP residues were among issues objected by the non-governmental organisations which wanted the waste to be taken out from the country over the fear of its hazards, while Lynas insisted that the residues were not harmful or could cause a tragedy such as the one that happened at Bukit Merah in 1982.
Lynas was optimistic that they would be able to meet the requirements as they had been complying with all laws and regulations since the plant began its operations in 2012.
The plant’s arguments were supported by experts and scientists who opined that the technology used by Lynas would enable it to operate safely, contrary to the situation in Bukit Merah in Perak.
Meanwhile, on Aug 31, the ‘sleepy’ Sungai Lembing town was shaken up by the horrific fire that saw the demise of an elderly couple, while 33 buildings, including 20 units of two-storey shophouses and a 50-year-old public library were destroyed.
The 1.30am fire killed Ho Yuk Fun, 74, and wife Chow Kim Mui, 70, who lived in one of the shophouses, which was believed to be the fire’s origin.
The tragedy caught the attention of the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, who was in Pahang for holidays. Still in his military dress uniform after attending the National Parade in Kuantan, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim rushed to visit the displaced victims who were taking shelter at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Sungai Lembing.
Meanwhile, to ensure the survival of Sungai Lembing town which has been regarded as a çowboy town, Pahang state government planned to rebuild and redevelop the site of the tragedy into a tourism plaza which will showcase the identity of Sungai Lembing as a former tin-mining town. — Bernama
