The International Trade and Industry Ministry has assured Malaysians that a rare earths plant and a petroleum refinery due to come on-line soon will not end disastrously as previous disasters that happened in the region.

“The Union Carbide (in India) and Asian Rare Earth (in Perak) incidents happened decades ago. The technology then is not as sophisticated as now. Our environmental regulations are more stringent than in the 70s.

“Don’t worry... there is no problem that will happen,” said its Deputy Minister Mukhriz Mahathir during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He argued that Malaysia has strict environmental guidelines that must be complied with by all, including rare earths miner Lynas Corporation and the operators of the Rapid project in Pengerang, Johor.

“We will not allow them to continue with any project which contravenes the guidelines and affect the environment,” assured Mukhriz.

The deputy minister said that the projects were only approved and considered after thorough considerations of all its implications.

NONE The tragic Union Carbide ammonia plant gas leak in India and the Asian Rare Earths plant disaster closer to home in Perak, continue to overshadow industrial development in the region.

Thousands of lives were lost in the Union Carbide incident, while many workers and residents were exposed to radiation from the Asian Rare Earth plant waste and by-products.

The spectre of both is being raised by those opposed to the Lynas plant in Kuantan and the Rapid terminal in Pengerang as a cautionary tale.

The government, however, has defended its decision to approve both projects and is adamant that safety measures are adequate.

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