Cops wrong to stop Lynas protest, say NGOs
Published: Jun 23, 2014 9:55 AM | Updated: Jun 23, 2014 2:33 PM
A coalition of 33 NGOs today condemned the Malaysian police for zealously hauling away 16 protesters outside the Lynas rare-earth processing plant in Gebeng yesterday.
A coalition of 33 NGOs today condemned the Malaysian police for zealously hauling away 16 protesters outside the Lynas rare-earth processing plant in Gebeng yesterday.
In a press statement, Malaysians for Beng Hock (MBH) charged that it was unconstitutional for the police to intervene in the dispute between Himpunan Hijau protesters and the Australian-owned Lynas plant, which they alleged pollute the surrounding areas.
The protest did not turn violent and police acted out of line, the NGOs alleged.
"Firstly, the police have violated the rights to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the federal constitution and failed to respect the law by applying for an injunction.
"The police action makes no sense because the people have a right to express their feelings towards social issues, especially as the Lynas factory posed health and environmental risks to the people of Kuantan," the NGOs said in the statement.
Pollution controls
Himpunan Hijau and other green activists have been campaigning against the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp), which they argued was fast-tracked by the BN government without a proper social and environmental impact study.
Even though it operates on a temporary license, Lynas says its plant, which will refine radioactive ore from Australia, has state-of-the-art pollution controls. It commenced operations in 2012.
On Sunday, Himpunan Hijau led by Wong Tack and DAP firebrand speaker Hew Kuan Yau (right), popularly nicknamed 'Superman' marched towards the factory in a bid to stop its operations.
The duo was arrested with others, including an Australian activist from Friends of the Earth.
Police blocked the group of about 1,000 protesters using a court injunction obtained just days before, barring protesters from coming within 20 metres of the factory.
MBH charged that the arrests showed that the government put the interests of foreign companies and local cronies above the rights of citizens.
"All citizens should have a right to determine the development of their location. We urge the government to quickly introduce local elections to arrest this unhealthy development trend.
“The people then have a right to change the local government if these development projects which threaten the people's welfare are approved, they have a right to reject corrupt public officials who put profits above people's concerns," MBH said.
The NGOs called again for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) be established as a mechanism to check police abuse of power.
Besides MBH, the statement was signed by Suaram, Jerit, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall youths, Islamic Renaissance Front and All Women's Action Society (Awam) and several others.
Himpunan Hijau supporters 'assaulted'
OCPD: Australian can't be freed on police bail
In a press statement, Malaysians for Beng Hock (MBH) charged that it was unconstitutional for the police to intervene in the dispute between Himpunan Hijau protesters and the Australian-owned Lynas plant, which they alleged pollute the surrounding areas.
The protest did not turn violent and police acted out of line, the NGOs alleged."Firstly, the police have violated the rights to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the federal constitution and failed to respect the law by applying for an injunction.
"The police action makes no sense because the people have a right to express their feelings towards social issues, especially as the Lynas factory posed health and environmental risks to the people of Kuantan," the NGOs said in the statement.
Pollution controls
Himpunan Hijau and other green activists have been campaigning against the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp), which they argued was fast-tracked by the BN government without a proper social and environmental impact study.
Even though it operates on a temporary license, Lynas says its plant, which will refine radioactive ore from Australia, has state-of-the-art pollution controls. It commenced operations in 2012.
On Sunday, Himpunan Hijau led by Wong Tack and DAP firebrand speaker Hew Kuan Yau (right), popularly nicknamed 'Superman' marched towards the factory in a bid to stop its operations.The duo was arrested with others, including an Australian activist from Friends of the Earth.
Police blocked the group of about 1,000 protesters using a court injunction obtained just days before, barring protesters from coming within 20 metres of the factory.
MBH charged that the arrests showed that the government put the interests of foreign companies and local cronies above the rights of citizens.
"All citizens should have a right to determine the development of their location. We urge the government to quickly introduce local elections to arrest this unhealthy development trend.
“The people then have a right to change the local government if these development projects which threaten the people's welfare are approved, they have a right to reject corrupt public officials who put profits above people's concerns," MBH said.
The NGOs called again for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) be established as a mechanism to check police abuse of power.
Besides MBH, the statement was signed by Suaram, Jerit, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall youths, Islamic Renaissance Front and All Women's Action Society (Awam) and several others.
Himpunan Hijau supporters 'assaulted'
OCPD: Australian can't be freed on police bail
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