KUALA LUMPUR, March 12- Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai(Pic) today gave assurance that the government would protect the safety and health of the local people during the operation of Lynas’ rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang.
He said the ministry had also set up a special committee to monitor and to ensure that the plant would operate according to the regulations, especially in waste handling.
“We will not only ensure that the plant will operate according to the laws and regulations, but also that the waste will be processed and disposed of safely.”
Liow said this to reporters in response to the opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stance that he would back Lynas plant’s operation only if it survived a public inquiry and proved to be safe. The MCA deputy president, however, rapped Anwar for being inconsistent in making his stance about Lynas’ plant.
“His stance may change under certain circumstances. At one time, he agreed that it is suitable for the plant to be operating in Malaysia.
“We don’t know what is his real stance because it differs from time to time. Now, he wants a public inquiry to prove that the plant is safe. He seems very suspicious,” he said.
On Green Gathering organising chairman Wong Tack’s intention to challenge Liow for Bentong parliamentary seat in the 13th general election, the latter said the contest would be opened to any eligible candidate.
“It’s normal to have people contesting for certain seats in general election. As the incumbent of Bentong parliamentary seat, I just have to be fully prepared to face the challenge,” he said.
Earlier, Liow also presented the cheques for recipients of 1MCA Medical Foundation, 1MCA Educational Loan and 1MCA Microcredit Loan.
BERNAMA
