Sunday 11 November 2018

Lynas - it's all based on facts and evidence

I don't want to write too much on this one because some trolls may accuse me of spinning

So, you all can read for yourselves this latest one on the Lynas issue;

Lynas operations satisfy all

 criteria, say officials


excerpts

1. Faizal Mohd Yusof, a senior official with the international trade and industry ministry (Miti), also justified the 12-year tax exemption given to Lynas, considering its benefits to the country.


He said Lynas had fulfilled 10 factors to receive its factory licence in early 2008, including those concerning the environment.
He said other factors included its technology, positive effect on the supply chain and amount of investment.
He said the company provided jobs to locals and gave them the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge.
2. During the Facebook Live feed, an Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) official said radioactive materials are found naturally in the environment.
He further explained that prior to giving out licences, AELB had a comprehensive mechanism to determine whether or not a chemical plant was qualified for the licence.
“The standards we have in Malaysia are not just any standards — we abide by international standards.
“On top of that, in the Lynas case, we also set up a public committee before giving them the licence in September 2012.”
3. An official from the Pahang State Environmental Department said staff conducted checks on environmental quality, as underlined in the plant’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The department found that Lynas had maintained all the standards.
In relation to concerns about heavy metal residue found in surrounding agricultural land, the official said the study looked at the heavy metal residue found in agricultural products such as palm oil and “found positive results”.
In response to the independent committee’s inquiries into the water quality as a result of chemical waste, the official said the presence of industrial sites along Sungai Balok had actually improved the water quality, due to high-technology waste treatment technology being utitlised.
“Lynas itself has a sophisticated treatment system. The volume of chemical waste has not even been an issue because it meets all limits set.”
4. An official from the health ministry said it was too early to tell if any pollution from the Lynas plant would cause any type of cancer.
5. A Department of Occupational Safety and Hazard (DOSH) official also agreed that Lynas had met all its obligations.
“They have abided by all criteria for occupational safety.”
In terms of the treatment of hazardous chemicals, it found that despite the risks, adequate safety precautions were being taken.
In terms of pollution, dust and mineral oil mist produced as by-products by the plant’s activities, the official said it was found to be at a low level.
“The chemical hazards at the facility show possible negative effects on the respiratory system and skin. However, the same situation applies to any other factory.”
So how? Satisfied or not?
They look silly to me
What? Still not satisfied?
Here, this time I'm putting in full from Dr Mahathir's own writing back in 2012.

LYNAS

1. I was the first to write in my blog about rare earth, about how difficult it was to rid ourselves from activated rare earth when it was no longer needed.
2. Rare earth can be used for many things and in many ways. The rare earth represented by tin tailing, mostly ilmenite, when activated can be used in colour television. Today colour television uses plasma or LED.
3. This posed a problem of getting rid of the activated rare earth left in Malaysia. Finally it was agreed between Mitsubishi Electric and Malaysia that a site in Perak of almost a square kilometre be reserved for burying under concrete the activated “amang”.

4. Although visitors were banned and no human habitation was allowed at the site, I am told that now there is no more danger of radiation and human dwellings have been built there.
5. The Lynas project is not about activating the rare earth to make it radioactive. It is about extraction of the element to be used in making lithium ion batteries and magnets.
6. Lithium ion batteries are extensively used to power electronic products including mobile phones.
7. We carry in our pockets and use mobile phones all the time, putting them against our ears to hear and speak over the air waves. Obviously they are not harmful. This lithium ion battery does not emit harmful radiation.
8. As I understand it, the Lynas plant in Pahang does not involve activating any of the rare earth components to make them radioactive. The process cannot be harmful. As for the waste, it does not give off harmful radiation either. The waste is just ordinary earth which is normally mixed with the small amounts of rare earth. The necessity to export the waste does not arise.
9. Malaysia is endowed with significant quantities of rare earth. In its natural state it is harmless. Tin tailings or “amang” is probably more likely to give off radio waves than rare earth. The mining and extraction of rare earth can bring much wealth to Malaysia. In fact Malaysia should be producing lithium ion batteries for use in electric and hybrid cars. Today these batteries are being produced in Germany and Britain, using rare earth from China and elsewhere.
10. Lithium ion batteries will be much in demand in the future. They are usually rechargeable and can last for many years.
11. It would be a great loss to Malaysia if misguided people prevent us from extracting and using the high clean electrical capacities of rare earth. Just as the lithium ion batteries in the cellular phones is not harmful even when we carry them everywhere in our pockets and put them to our ears, the mining and extracting of rare earth from Malaysian earth will not harm us in any way.


Don't argue with Dr Mahathir, okay. He's almost always right. If Lynas still loses the case after all these facts and evidence had been presented, then I don't know what else to say.

39 comments:

  1. Well summarised and presented Annie. At least they are those like you around who still do this.
    No real arguments unless proven otherwise.
    Let's stick to facts rather than sentiment.
    If proven otherwise than let's review.
    But of cause it doesn't mean that Lynas or any other industry must not be continually monitored. Constant monitoring is a must to ensure continued compliance.

    TheEqualizer-manonthestreet

    ReplyDelete
  2. Which Umno crony are you helping out?

    Who has shares in Lynas still?

    That's the only question, actually.

    It's like Pokjib and his sudden concern for FELDA.....after he personally helped to gang-rape FELDA multiple times for his own financial benefit before he was kicked out.

    Very, very fishy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. anon 00:18 if you want LYNAS to claose, buy less smartfone for one or other electronics
      better till live like Gurmit Singh

      https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2015/01/02/committed-to-green-living-environmentalist-gurmit-singh-and-his-wife-opt-for-the-simple-life-to-pres/

      Delete
  3. annie
    tulis la pasal LHL vs Alex Tan..
    kan itu hari, annie tulis LHL tu handsome dari LGE...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am still puzzled why Wong Tack was so vocal about Lynas but hardly made any noise on bauxite? At least Fuziah was consistent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No need to talk about bauxite. Ask him go save Pulau Indah from plastics Industry. It affect a lots more people than Lynas.

      Delete
    2. https://www.malaymail.com/s/1693720/minister-plastic-waste-a-rm30b-industry-cant-be-ignored

      This is the best ph can do to rejuvanate msia's economy???

      Delete
  5. Annie,

    //Lynas - it's all based on facts and evidence//

    I am a bit surprise that the review committee has already finished its job and the report will be ready next week!!!

    That review committee must be better then I thought!!

    So, all the environmental studies, all the scientific studies, the economic studies, etc have been completed in, what, 2 weeks??

    Wow!!

    Well, I hope the report will be available for public perusal.

    BTW, all those statements from MITI, AELB, Pahang Environmental Board, Health Department, DOSH and Mahatir are simply officialese pap.

    Rather meaningless if you ask me.

    Someone tells us something as important as this and we are to just believe it?? Come on lah, Annie, we are better than that.

    I would prefer to see the studies on which they are basing their statements on. Where are those studies? Under OSA? :)

    Without those studies in the public domain, those statements are quite worthless, I am sorry.

    Gladiator

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those agencies have been monitoring Lynas closely for years. Im sure they have presented the data to the committee. But I guess you prefer to believe in politicians like Fuziah and Wong Tack.

      Delete
  6. Annie,

    Post something fresh, lah.

    This Lynas has become a real Painintheas.

    Like I say, let the committee decide.

    Now that your Fuziah is not there, what's the problem?

    It's full of technical experts.

    They are not political.

    If they clear Lynas, it proves they are fair.

    Correct?

    Basic logic lah.

    But I have to ask again:

    As a pro-Umgnok blogger, why aren't you demanding Tun & Anwar are locked up after the Forex RCI report?

    After all, I bet you think the Forex RCI is much, much, much cleaner than the Lynas committee, right?

    Right???

    Hehehehe.


    ReplyDelete
  7. annie, you with lynas like lebai sudin with bernas..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Annie,

    This Lynas case is about greediness and money talks. Regardless, the facts, logic and common sense...wonder why the Australian authority refused to allow the rare-earths waste being processed of its origin. Why must refining to be transported out to Malaysia which will demand high additional logistic cost?

    The plant might be safe but whats concerning us is the waste treatment.

    I feel sorry and condolences to the people of Kuantan. First, there was bauxite and now Lynas.

    You should acknowledge your readers who is behind this deal before May09. Whose crony will gain and benefit the most if this project continued?

    Don't create a silly joke to say that the white men are damn good, come all the way here to create job for us. Pray tell...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have answered this in a previous post. Guess you didn't read it. Here I put it again just for you.

      http://mole.my/lynas-is-not-as-toxic-as-critics-make-it-out-to-be/

      excerpts;

      “Lynas actually has a licence to do this in Australia but it was Malaysia that invited us,” said Lacaze, “We were told that Malaysia is a great place to do business and that it’s a politically stable country with good economy.”

      At a briefing recently it was mentioned that easy access to water supply – which was difficult to procure due to Mount Weld being right smack in a desert in Western Australia – was among the reasons why Lynas accepted Malaysia’s invitation.

      “The processing of rare-earths requires plenty of water. The plant needs at least two Olympic-size swimming pools volume of water per day,” said Lynas’ vice president for people and culture department, Mimi Afzan Afza.

      Besides water supply, Mimi says Malaysia provides the ease of access for other raw materials, reagents such as acids and alkalis, good electricity and gas infrastructures and strategic location to its customers and port.

      Had Lynas set-up their factory in Australia, the company would have to shuttle everything, including manpower, to the continent.

      Delete
    2. The fact you missed out:

      Lynas wanted to transport the waste back to Australia, who REFUSED TO LET IT EVEN LAND ON AUSTRLIAN SOIL BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS.

      Yeah....

      ....minor detail, right?

      Delete
    3. If the residue is really dangerous and not taken care of properly by Lynas, then the agencies would have been making noise isnt it? You asked about why Lynas was not processing the rare earth in Australia and I have answered you. Now you are trying to shift the question to the residue. Dont you think all these have not been raised during the public hearing. Or is it you trying to justify your ignorance?

      Delete
    4. Annie,

      “Lynas actually has a licence to do this in Australia but it was Malaysia that invited us,” said Lacaze, “We were told that Malaysia is a great place to do business and that it’s a politically stable country with good economy.”

      If it stated that licence had been approved by the Australian authority, then, Lynas shall process half the refinery waste in Australia too. If they refused, we have no other alternative but to close operation here.

      Twists and turns...when money speaks, truth remains silent. Or is it you trying to justify your ignorance too, Annie?

      Delete
  9. Annie,

    //But I guess you prefer to believe in politicians like Fuziah and Wong Tack.//

    Wrong :)

    I thought you would have known by now that I NEVER believe whatever someone tells me.

    I might listen to them but believing them? Well.... that's another matter :)

    Some ppl say I am a slimy two-faced person because I seem to be such an agreeable person, but that's not my problem :)

    I have a scientific background and I dont like confrontation :)

    But ppl like Wong Tack and Fuziah raise valid points which should be addressed scientifically.

    I want them to shut the fuck up, but it MUST be done scientifically.

    Lynas can bring a lot of money to the Malaysian economy but it must be viable.

    No good if Lynas brings in RM300billion in the short run but it will cost Malaysians RM450billion in the long run for healthcare and fixing up the contamination. (All figures at NPV, of cos for the better class of students, *ahem*)

    I WANT Lynas to succeed.

    So show me the evidence that Lynas is good for Malaysia.

    I think I am smart enough to analyse it myself. I do similar shit in my professional life. And if I dont know something, I know where to find answers :)

    That is all I am asking - show me the evidence.

    At the moment, the available data is not conclusive and largely subjective.

    I want actual studies done and for those studies to be in the public domain.

    Is that asking too much?

    Gladiator

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. U think the agencies said all what they said at the public hearing not backed by facts and scientific evidence? You want those detailed be made public, wait for the committee (appointed by the PH government) made its decision. For now let's not accuse the agencies of talking bullshit like Fuziah and Wong Tuck.

      Delete
  10. Kemenangan dari pembohongan takkan bertahan lama.
    Prof Kangkung

    ReplyDelete
  11. Annie @ 12 November 2018 at 16:26,

    //U think the agencies said all what they said at the public hearing not backed by facts and scientific evidence?//

    Oh, that is fantastic!!

    They have facts and evidence, have they?

    Great, put those facts and evidence in the public domain :)

    //You want those detailed be made public, wait for the committee (appointed by the PH government) made its decision.//

    Fair comment.

    I am quite happy to wait to see what is being offered by that review committee.

    My guess is that the review committee will say it is all OK and that Lynas can continue.

    Furthermore, that review committee will offer ZERO facts or evidence or any studies to support their findings :)

    //For now let's not accuse the agencies of talking bullshit like Fuziah and Wong Tuck.//

    Well, so far, those people you quoted have offered nothing to support their statements. To me, it is all just talk at the moment.

    In my opinion, Fuziah and Wong Tack are not necessarily very scientific people and as such they have every right to be worried about Lynas.

    It is beholden on the authorities to allay the fears of such insecure people by presenting good credible scientific evidence that Lynas is perfectly safe.

    It is why we put in a new government - one which can give the rakyat the facts and evidence behind any issue we happen to be interested in :)

    Gladiator

    ReplyDelete
  12. https://tinyurl.com/y7rkbhjm

    https://tinyurl.com/ybzc8awx

    https://tinyurl.com/ycvw9p77

    ReplyDelete
  13. Since Lynas is here to stay
    It's an advantages to manufacture phone battery and mangnet for plane turbine engine in Malaysia
    By virtue on risk compensation

    Fadzireen

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lagi lagi pasal Lynas...bosan la.

    Lebih baik suruh Lynas bina cawangan belakang rumah Annie.

    Annie hipokrit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anon 22:31, buat blog sendiri la. Ko boleh tulis apa yg ko suka.

      Delete
    2. Anon 11:28

      Kau ni jangan jadi penyibuk sangat

      Delete
    3. Hahaha, konpem x boleh jadi blogger. Overly sensitip mengalahkan pompuan!

      Delete
    4. Lebih baik sensitif dari penyibuk bangang

      Delete
    5. Budak berhingus lagi rupanya...budak kecik pegi main jauh2...

      Delete
    6. Haha..kau tu bayi pakai pampers lagi la...patutlah penyibuk sangat tu kot

      Delete
    7. Hahaha ...thank u for the comic relief. Mengingatkan aku zaman sekolah rendah, gaduh jah 5/6.

      Delete
  15. NRRET team shud be retained to raid corrupted dumbos & confiscate their loots right, PH can not be so Bodoh Nasional sigh

    ReplyDelete
  16. We have among other projects, Lynas, bauxite mining and China city in Kuantan not to mention deforestation in Cameron Higlands. The interest of the people comes first, no?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh-oh......

    "The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today sentenced former rural and regional development ministry secretary-general Mohd Arif Ab Rahman and his son Ahmad Zukhairi to a combined jail term of 15 years.

    Justice Azura Alwi also fined the pair a total of RM12.6 million.

    Mohd Arif was convicted of abetting his son to accept a bribe of S$200,000 from a solar power company to secure a government project."

    Jibros got about 80 charges between them.

    Oh-oh....



    ReplyDelete
  18. Court invalidates Rantau election results.

    Another by election in Rantau and looks like UMNO will lose again.

    Nail in the coffin for UMNO?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Annie, u're beginning to scare us. Hope you & family are well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why? Why the alarm about Annie?

      Did she get into contact with radioactive wastes?

      Delete
  20. Miss you Annie.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Annie,

    What happened?

    You caught Malas Virus from Ponygod izzit?

    Hee hee......

    ReplyDelete