Himpunan Hijau has warned the government against using the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to whitewash the activities of the controversial Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng, Kuantan.
 
The NGO's chairperson Wong Tack said in this reference to a planned visit by IAEA, arranged by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) to the facility from Oct 13 to Oct 17.
 
He said the move for the ministry to be involved was "surprising".
 
“Why has the MITI suddenly taken up the role of an atomic energy regulator and enforcer? Where are the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB)?” he asked.
 
Wong said he hoped Miti's invitation is intended as a genuine scrutiny on the Lynas plant, instead of "just another continued collusion between Lynas and our authorities to hoodwink" the public and investors.
 
"It will be scandalous if this is another sham to create a falsehood to legitimise Lynas’ operations and resuscitate it from its last breath," he said in a statement yesterday.
 
The facility processes rare earths mined from Australia but Lynas has been plagued with debt problems after the global prices of rare earths crashed.
 
The plant has raised concerns among the local community because of radioactive wastes.
 
Wong claimed that Lynas had failed to comply with a 2011 IAEA recommendation for the plant, which included the setting up of a long-term waste management plant.
 
"If the IAEA wishes to maintain its reputation as a credible international organisation, then it must carry out its duties and responsibilities to the highest level of diligence and integrity," he said.
 
“Miti, Mosti and AELB, its time for you to be truthful and uphold your credibility. No more monkey business,” Wong added
 
Lynas has said it will process its wastes into commercial products and therefore does not need a permanent waste disposal facility.