By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
PETALING JAYA, March 22 — The government will not allow Lynas Corp to operate its planned rare earths refinery in Gebeng, Pahang if there is scientific proof that it is hazardous, the prime minister has said.
“The safety of citizens is our top-most priority... the government will not allow Lynas to operate if we think based on scientific evidence is harmful to health of people and environmental safety,” Datuk Seri Najib Razak (picture) told Chinese-language radio station 988FM in an interview today.
“We do need dialogue before government makes decision. Safety will not be compromised,” he said, referring to the setting up of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the matter.
Najib said his administration wanted to know the “technical arguments” of those who were opposed to the refinery and did not want this to end up becoming a “political” issue.
“If there’s real evidence, will not allow Lynas to operate,” he stressed.
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