Be Positive: Rare Earth, Rare Government

So after so many months of debating with people, trying to convince fellow Malaysian that the decision to give permit for Lynas to build a rare earth processing plant in Kuantan is justifiable, now the government start to realise they should put people’s welfare as first priority.

What a good government we have.

The latest effort is, the government will form an independent evaluation committee to conduct a risk assessment of the plant operation.

It is a good move indeed. Nobody has to doubt the need of doing such assessment.

However, why is that not done earlier? If we have done it earlier, then we do not need to waste so much of time debating about the project.

Why it is not done earlier as part of the preliminary requirement for the permit to be awarded to Lynas? And make them responsible for the cost incur? The government is now forced to conduct the assessment but still, who is going to pay for it? The people?

What if, the assessment derive into a conclusion that the plant is exposing the people to unacceptable risk? How are we going to carry along with the company? Are we stop them from operation while they have already granted permit to build the factory? It will then for sure, involving lawsuits and compensation have to be paid. Who is going to foot the bill for all these? Again, the people?

From many angle, we try to be positive about the development. We try to believe that before the various government agencies give the green light for the company to start the project, they had put people’s welfare at the first priority. Can we stay positive now? I see the positive point is, when people’s voice is loud enough, we can improve the way government making decisions. We can make them aware that they are the servant and do not make fool of us. A lot of things, we do not need a rocket scientist to tell whether it is good or bad for public welfare.