According to them, they are fed up with the issue being long used as political capital in a negative manner when the situation on the ground is otherwise.
LAMP undertakes a complex series of refining and concentration operations to produce high-quality rare earth minerals. The rare earth oxides are shipped to Malaysia after they are mined and initially processed at the Mt Weld Concentration Plant in Western Australia.
Sungai Ular village chief Shamsul Azlin Abdul Wahid, 48, said the Lynas plant, which operates under the supervision of various agencies, was just like other factories operating in the Gebeng Industrial Estate.
“We initially received a lot of news about Lynas, but we decided to listen to the explanation given by Lynas management who took the initiative to meet the villagers, even before the plant started operations.
“They explained about their operations and listened to our concerns. They even asked for our views several times.
“Although the issue has often been politicised, they still come to visit us to find out about our safety as we live close to the plant,” he told reporters when met at the Perdana talk and special prayers (solat hajat) held at the Sultan Ahmad Shah 1 State Mosque here last night.
He said similar to other factories, the existence of the Lynas plant had brought economic benefits to the population in the surrounding area, and many villagers had obtained employment at the plant, including as engineers.
“Lynas has been very helpful in their social corporate responsibilities in our village, such as providing assistance for the schooling session as well as during the Hari Raya celebrations.
Shamsul said the villagers also took the opportunity to obtain information from various experts every time such a meeting was held.
Meanwhile, resident Mansor Mokhtar said the allegations that the Lynas plant’s activities posed harm to the environment were also untrue as residents in Balok, mostly fishermen, did not experience such occurrences.
“We don’t see water in the river changing colour due to Lynas’ activities or hear stories of dead fish due to radiation.
“Besides, it is hard for us to accept that such a well-regulated plant disposes of unsafe sewage indiscriminately, causing environmental problems,” he said.
Mansor said he felt uncomfortable with the prolonged issues pertaining to Lynas, including those on social media claiming residents of Balok had been adversely affected by Lynas.
Meanwhile, Lynas human resources manager Jumaat Mansor said the plant’s employees had held weekly special prayers since the beginning of 2018.
He said the prayers were held every Thursday at their plant in Gebeng here.
Also, he said, this month would be very important for the plant as the decision on whether its operations would continue would be announced on Aug 15.
In the meantime, Beserah assemblyman Andansura Rabu said those opposing Lynas must cease creating more confusion as the issue had been going on for almost 15 years and it was “politically capitalised” in the last three general elections.
“I was one of those who opposed in the beginning upon hearing about the setting up of the Lynas plant as my house is very close to it.
“I have been monitoring the readings in the area and have not found any changes in terms of the environment or radiation.
“Lynas has been operating for seven years and I admit I might have been mistaken all these years,” he said.