SMSL TO LYNAS, NO APOLOGY!! (18/7/2012)

Press statement of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)

SMSL Will FIGHT Lynas Till The End

July 18, 2012

In a recent International Business Times (IBT) article, it was misreported that SMSL has apologised to the Lynas Corporation and has retracted a statement made about its rare earth refinery plant.  Accessed at http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/363755/20120717/malaysia-rare-earths.htm#.UAYv8dV0xVv

This news story is erroneous and factually incorrect because SMSL has made NO such apology or retraction.  SMSL is determined to and will continue to defend the rights of citizens to free speech, to campaign for a clean and safe future for our family and our country.

Mr Tan Bun Teet, the spokesperson for SMSL said, “I have written to the Editor of IBT to seek an immediate public apology and to correct the article.  The IBT journalist should have contacted SMSL about it before putting the story out.”

SMSL is committed to fighting Lynas until the end, including the Lynas defamation suit. It is the online news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that has chosen to apologise to Lynas and retracted the so-claimed defamatory statement.  Its action has no bearing or any association with SMSL’s current or future direction on the Stop Lynas campaign.

“SMSL will take up the relevant legal action against the IBT if no apology is forthcoming by the end of today and if no retraction is made.  SMSL will also lodge a complaint with the Australian Journalists Association which is strict on journalistic ethics and professionalism.” Added Mr Tan.

“SMSL remained firmed on our stance and our statements about the Lynas rare earth plant because we have reliable information and relevant professional experts to back up our statements in court.” He asserted.

Towards this end, SMSL is highly appreciative of the strong spirit of solidarity and support demonstrated by civil society groups and concerned individuals all over Malaysia and overseas.  

The Lynas rare earth project is not just a Kuantan issue as it will affect the whole nation.  No one should tolerate a foreign company building a risky plant of the scale and size in a developing country with limited capacity to monitor, assess and managed.

The 12-year tax break granted to a project in exchange for a massive amount of hazardous and radioactive waste to contaminate Malaysia forever is a last straw on a camel's back for us.  This is the most ludicrous political decision the government has made.

Tax payers and citizens expect a Government to exercise its duty of care to ensure a nation's well beings and long-term future are secured not to subject citizens to the hazards of Lynas’ radiation and toxic waste.

SMSL and concerned citizens will converge at the Kuala Lumpur High court tomorrow 19^th July from 3.30pm onwards to await the court decision on Lynas’ defamation application.

“We welcome any concerned Malaysians to come along to show Lynas that we are a proud people with integrity and courage.  Join us in our fight against the risks and hazards of the world’s largest rare earth plant.”

For further comments, please contact SMSL hotline :+60 (0) 12-982 3302

Or Mr Tan Bun Teet, spokesperson for SMSL, Hp: +60 17 973 0576