{"id":1703,"date":"2019-04-10T12:26:04","date_gmt":"2019-04-10T04:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/master.k8s.p4.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/?p=1703"},"modified":"2025-03-26T12:47:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T04:47:44","slug":"rally-to-support-removal-of-lynas-toxic-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/story\/1703\/rally-to-support-removal-of-lynas-toxic-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"Rally to Support Removal of Lynas&#8217; Toxic Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Protect Malaysia and Put People and Planet Over Profit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>KUALA LUMPUR &#8211; An estimated 150 people from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and concerned communities in Kuantan assembled in front of Parliament to urge for firm action on the Lynas issue.<\/p>\n<p>A total of more than 60 NGOs assembled alongside several communities from Kuantan who drove to the city centre to hand a memorandum to a representative from the Prime Minister\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<p>The memorandum to halt environmental pollution by Lynas Malaysia, is directed to the Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change (MESTECC) minister Yeo Bee Yin, and Cabinet members.<\/p>\n<p>It is a call to action for the government to put the Malaysian people first by suspending Lynas\u2019 operating licence and the complete removal of toxic radioactive waste produced by processing rare-earth element (REE) in the chemical factory.<\/p>\n<p>Greenpeace Malaysia published a report on the facility titled \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/publication\/1083\/a-radioactive-ruse-report-on-lynas-malaysia\/\">A Radioactive Ruse<\/a>\u2019 in 2014, which suggested that residue from processing the REE typically contains pollutants such as metals (e.g.: lead and arsenic), as well as radionuclides (e.g.: thorium and uranium).<\/p>\n<p>Similarly a <a href=\"https:\/\/aip.scitation.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1063\/1.4866110?class=pdf\">2014 study<\/a> by UKM found that the thorium radioactivity concentration in Lynas\u2019 water-leached purification (WLP) stream of wastes to be close to eight times higher than the regulatory exemption limit.<\/p>\n<p>Independent campaigning organisation, Greenpeace Malaysia\u2019s Campaigner Heng Kiah Chun reaffirmed the organisation\u2019s neutral and non-partisan stance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe appeal to the Malaysian government to listen to our demands to suspend Lynas&#8217;s operating license and remove toxic waste from Malaysia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe also hope that the Malaysian government will exercise greater caution and not allow itself to be deceived into believing that Lynas can find safe disposal options for its radioactive waste,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p><strong>-ENDS-<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1711\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1711\" class=\"wp-image-1711 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2019\/05\/9c39d52a-gp0stt7h8.jpg\" alt=\"Protest at Government Office in Kuala Lumpur. \u00a9 Nandakumar S. Haridas \/ Greenpeace\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2019\/05\/9c39d52a-gp0stt7h8.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2019\/05\/9c39d52a-gp0stt7h8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2019\/05\/9c39d52a-gp0stt7h8-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2019\/05\/9c39d52a-gp0stt7h8-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2019\/05\/9c39d52a-gp0stt7h8-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1711\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Non-government organizations and other Civic groups protest in front of the Malaysian Houses of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur to call on the suspension of the Rare-Earth Elements (REE) refining plant and the complete removal of toxic radioactive waste, a byproduct of processing REE owned by Lynas Malaysia.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>OBJECTIVES OF THE MEMORANDUM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Short-term Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reject Lynas\u2019 application to turn its current waste storage site into a prescribed premise to keep the massive amounts of scheduled waste<\/li>\n<li>Ensure Lynas and\/or its new owner take active steps to remove the radioactive waste from Malaysia by the September deadline<\/li>\n<li>Thoroughly clean up the contaminated groundwater and soil<\/li>\n<li>Ensure the promised US$50 million deposit from Lynas is paid in full in cash and not in Lynas\u2019 shares<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Long-term Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suspend Lynas\u2019 operating licence to STOP Lynas polluting our environment<\/li>\n<li>Deny Lynas from allowing any toxic waste to remain in Malaysia and risk contaminating our environment<\/li>\n<li>Hold the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) and Department of Environment (DoE) to task to ensure they perform their mandated roles and duties with a high degree of professionalism and integrity, in the interest of Malaysia and the Rakyat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>REFERENCES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The &#8216;Radioactive Ruse&#8217; report on Lynas can be found here: http:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/seasia\/Press-Centre\/publications\/Report-Lynas\/<\/p>\n<p>Al-Areqi, W. M., Ab. Majid, A., &amp; Sarmani, S. (2014). Thorium, uranium and rare earth elements content in lanthanide concentrate (LC) and water leach purification (WLP) residue of Lynas advanced materials plant (LAMP). In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1584, pp. 93-96). American Institute of Physics Inc.. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1063\/1.4866110\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1063\/1.4866110<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>For additional details and photos, please contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"468\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Tan Bun Teet (Save Malaysia Stop Lynas)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Email : bunteet52@gmail.com<br \/>WhatsApp : +6017-973 0576<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>Yvonne Nathan (Greenpeace Malaysia)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Email: ynathan@greenpeace.org<\/p>\n<p>Whatsapp: +6017-6628 306<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>The solidarity activity was organised by:<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"562\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"273\">1. Save Malaysia Stop Lynas<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>2. Greenpeace Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>3. Himpunan Hijau<\/p>\n<p>4.Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (PEKA) Malaysia.<\/p>\n<p>5. Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA)<\/p>\n<p>6. Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (GRASS Malaysia)<\/p>\n<p>7. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)<\/p>\n<p>8. Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)<\/p>\n<p>9. North South Initiative<\/p>\n<p>10. Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)<\/p>\n<p>11. SMSL Segamat<\/p>\n<p>12. Stop Lynas Coalition<\/p>\n<p>13. Gelombang Hijau<\/p>\n<p>14. Aliran Kesedaran Negara<\/p>\n<p>15. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK)<\/p>\n<p>16. Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility<\/p>\n<p>17. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)<\/p>\n<p>18. BaramKini<\/p>\n<p>19. Mama BERSIH<\/p>\n<p>20. OHMSI<\/p>\n<p>21. Citizens&#8217; Health Initiative<\/p>\n<p>22. Persatuan Penggerak Hijau<\/p>\n<p>23. Ban Cyanide Action Committee<\/p>\n<p>24. Himpunan Hijau Johor<\/p>\n<p>25. Persatuan Penunggang Basikal Jelajah Bumi Hijau<\/p>\n<p>26. University of Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY)<\/p>\n<p>27. Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)<\/p>\n<p>28. ENGAGE<\/p>\n<p>29. Perak Green Pioneer<\/p>\n<p>30. Women Development Organisation of Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>31. The KL &amp; Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Women Section<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"289\">32. Green Earth Society<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>33. KRYSS<\/p>\n<p>34. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)<\/p>\n<p>35. Beyond Borders<\/p>\n<p>36. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)<\/p>\n<p>37. Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA)<\/p>\n<p>38. Malaysian Nature Society Pahang<\/p>\n<p>39. Sabah Women\u2019s Action-Resource Group (SAWO)<\/p>\n<p>40. Pusat KOMAS<\/p>\n<p>41. To Earth With Love<\/p>\n<p>42. Tanah Dahai<\/p>\n<p>43. Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>44. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM)<\/p>\n<p>45. Sustainable Development Network Malaysia (SUSDEN Malaysia)<\/p>\n<p>46. Foreign Spouses Support Group<\/p>\n<p>47. Treat Every Environment Special ( TrEES)<\/p>\n<p>48. Sahabat Rakyat \u4eba\u6c11\u4e4b\u53cb \u0bae\u0b95\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bb3\u0bcd \u0ba4\u0bcb\u0bb4\u0bb0\u0bcd\u0b95\u0bb3<\/p>\n<p>49. Health Equity Initiatives<\/p>\n<p>50. Justice for Sisters<\/p>\n<p>51. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia<\/p>\n<p>52. Tenaganita<\/p>\n<p>53. Jaringan Orang Asal Semalaysia (JOAS)<br \/>54. Monsoons Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>55. Friends of Kota Damansara<\/p>\n<p>56. MyPJ<\/p>\n<p>57. HAKAM<\/p>\n<p>58.The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM)<br \/>59. Student Unity Front UKM (SUF)<br \/>60. Bersih Gold Coast<\/p>\n<p>61. Bersih Timor Leste<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout post-633 \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/donation\/donate\/\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2023\/08\/f78e2075-gp0sttw0b_web_size.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2023\/08\/f78e2075-gp0sttw0b_web_size-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2023\/08\/f78e2075-gp0sttw0b_web_size-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2023\/08\/f78e2075-gp0sttw0b_web_size-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-malaysia-stateless\/2023\/08\/f78e2075-gp0sttw0b_web_size.jpg 800w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\" title=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/donation\/donate\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvery donation counts.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">We can\u2019t do this without your help. Take action for environment protection, please make a donation today. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                                    <a\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n                        data-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n                        data-ga-action=\"Call to Action\"\n                        data-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/donation\/donate\/\"\n                        \n                    >\n                        Donate Now\n                    <\/a>\n                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protect Malaysia and Put People and Planet Over Profit KUALA LUMPUR &#8211; An estimated 150 people from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and concerned communities in Kuantan assembled in front of Parliament&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":1711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[131,132],"tags":[84,86],"p4-page-type":[16],"class_list":["post-1703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate-and-pollution","category-community-and-activism","tag-environmental-justice","tag-energy","p4-page-type-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1703"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53719,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1703\/revisions\/53719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1703"},{"taxonomy":"p4-page-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/malaysia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/p4-page-type?post=1703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}