The government has been urged to suspend the operations of the Lynas Advanced Material Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng, Kuantan following the drowning of an engineer at the controversial rare earth processing plant.

Environmental group Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) said the government should order Lynas to cease its operations until an independent investigation is completed by the authorities on the nature and cause of the accident.

"Safer work place and a healthy environment should be in place when highly corrosive and hazardous substances are handled to protect the life and safety of workers at the plant," said SMSL chairperson Tan Bun Teet in a statement yesterday.

"Lynas and the government owed to the family of the victim and the remaining workers at the Lamp a decent standard of occupational health and safety," he added.

It was reported yesterday that 33-year-old engineer Mohamad Fadzli Mohamad Rafdzi had drowned at the factory after he fell into a pond at the plant.

Kuantan deputy OCPD Supt Abdul Aziz Ahmad said the victim had fallen into the pond at about 9am and his body was only found at 2.40pm.