Press Statement
By WONG TACK
Chairperson, Himpunan Hijau
28 February 2012

Himpunan Hijau advises Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek to face the Lynas issue head-on instead of beating around the bush.

It is very clear that the root cause of the Lynas issue is political wrongdoings. Therefore, a wrong political decision must be resolved with the correct political action.  The political situation in this country is such that many politicians are unwilling to speak out and act on an issue if it will adversely affect their personal interests and political agendas.  We wish to remind that politicians are given the mandate to protect the wellbeing of the people and the nation. They must not take lightly nor continue to belittle the people on an issue which is of grave concern and closest to the people’s hearts.  Therefore, for a leader with the backing of an established political machinery like MCA, Dr. Chua, instead of constantly trying to avoid handling the issue and conveniently trying to accuse the people of politicizing, should :

1) investigate whether someone opened the backdoor of this country and greased the path to allow a monster to slide into our country
2) investigate how a project of such magnitude which can cause massive pollutions can be approved within weeks and required only a PEIA, of which standard is no better than a high school report.
3) engage an independent panel of experts to verify the claims and so-called scientific data provided by Lynas.
4) investigate whether someone directed the Director of AELB to issue the Temporary Operating Licence when full regulatory compliance have not been met . Explain the reasons and logic behind this issuance.

Same goes to the Ministers under Datuk Chua’s leadership especially Dato’ Liow Tiong Lai. As a responsible Minister of Health, he should establish a professional team to conduct an independent research in investigating the ill-impacts of the project on the health of the people. On the other hand, Dato’ Ng Yen Yen, as the Minister of Tourism, must fulfill the responsibility entrusted to her by carrying out an independent analysis of the impact of the project on the tourism industry in the nation particularly in Kuantan.  These are the contributions and commitments that the people hope to see from the leaders of this nation.  All these years, it was very easy for politicians to give promises and guarantees verbally and even on paper when they are in power.

The tragic and grievous experiences in Bukit Merah, Perak and Mamut copper mine, Sabah reveal the true consequences of these false promises. Both of these operations have closed down for years, whereby money has been made by certain quarters. But until this very moment, the communities of Bukit Merah and Mamut continue to suffer immensely. What has the government done for them? Any collective actions taken apart from pointing fingers? Any chance of finding solutions to reverse the severe damages and sufferings that have taken place? Who are there for the families who are suffering now? Anyone cares? Anyone???

With these real examples of toxic legacies, why are the people and the future generations of this nation being forced to take all these unnecessary, unreasonable and unacceptable risks again? Haven’t the people suffered enough? How much more suffering do those in power, out of greediness and selfishness, want to inflict on the people? Datuk Chua, as a prominent leader of this nation must understand the concept of global interconnectivity and realise that Lynas is not only an issue of the people of Kuantan. For the benefit of the nation, he must elevate his perspectives on environment concerns or global environmental movements.

Therefore, it is very crucial that Dato Chua exercises his political duty and moral responsibility. We are calling on him to stand up and provide the people with a truthful and brave decisive statement on this issue. The clarion call of Himpunan Hijau 3.0 has been activated. We call upon all concerned and responsible citizens of Malaysia to be on alert to respond by coming forward on the day of reckoning on stopping Lynas!