MCA: DAP irresponsible for refusing to join PSC on Lynas

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA slammed the DAP for being irresponsible for not taking part in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Lynas to find a solution to the rare earth issue.

In a statement issued here, the party's deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok said it showed that the DAP does not want to convey the views of the people to parliament.

He said the DAP has been objecting to the establishment of the Lynas rare earth refinery and added that its decision not to join the PSC was "simply baffling".

"The DAP has declared that it will not take part in the PSC before any terms of reference are made. This means that DAP has neglected performing any good for the people," he said.

MCA treasurer-general Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, in another statement, said the DAP has always criticised the federal government claiming that it does not listen to the people on the issue of the Lynas rare earth plant, but when the Cabinet finally decided to set up a bipartisan PSC, the party simply refused to be a part of it.

"This proves that it has no interest in putting an end to the concerns raised, whereby it merely wants to continue playing up the issue for its own benefit.

"This is DAP’s style – constantly ignoring the government’s proposal and making assumptions based on rumours.

"In short, they will oppose everything in the end because they do not want the problems to be resolved, lest they have nothing to use to stir up public emotions," he said.  

Lynas, an Australian mineral exploration and chemical processing company, has maintained that waste generated from the refinery plant that is being constructed in Gebeng, Pahang, would not be hazardous and could be recycled for commercial use.