PUTRAJAYA: The government will form a Lynas Advance Materials Plant (LAMP) Operations Evaluation Executive Committee in Gebeng, Pahang.
Energy, Science, technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) Minister Yeo Bee Yin in announcing this today, said the setting up of the committee was in line with the new government’s aim not to turn Malaysia into a dumping ground of tainted materials by foreign companies.
“Following a cabinet meeting held last Wednesday (Oct 10), it has decided to appoint committee members, who have not openly stated whether they were for or against Lynas operation.
“This is to prevent any quarters from questioning the credibility of the executive committee based on its members’ personal opinions.
“The executive committee is tasked to assess the matter objectively, transparently and openly for the sake of everyone. Its proceeding will also be open to the public who can attend as observers,” she said in a statement.
The executive committee’s objectives are to evaluate LAP operations including the safety, health as well as environmental aspects.
The assessment, Yeo said, was also carried out on the extension period for storing the scheduled waste in line with Regulation 9 of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.
“The committee is given six weeks to conduct its assessment and submit a report coupled with recommendations to the government.”
The ministry has vetted the executive committee members who were experts in their respective fields including in environmental management, public health and radioactive ray safety, Yeo added.
The members are:
• Datuk Dr Mazlin Mokhtar (an expert in chemical environmental analysis, environmental assessment, as well as natural resources and sustainable environmental management);
• Professor Dr Jamal Hisham Hashim (an expert in environmental health and occupational health);
• Professor Dr Maketab Mohamed (an expert in water quality, environmental health assessment);
• Associate Professor Dr Anita Abdul Rahman (an expert in Radiation EPR, public and occupational health);
• Associate Professor Dr Muzamir Hasan (an expert in geotechnical engineering);
• Datin Paduka Che Asmah Ibrahim (expert in solid waste and hazardous material management as well as environmental policy and law).