The Anti-Lynas March
Sunday 26 November was a historic
day for Malaysia.It was the day when ordinary citizens participating in march reached
KL after a grueling 13-day walk from Kuantan in protest of the Lynas Rare Earth
refinery project in Pahang.These brave Malaysians were finally joined by over
20,000 people from all walks of life for a massive rally in the vicinity of the
Dataran Merdeka in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
It is regrettable
that Dataran Merdeka,the iconic venue, where the marchers were supposed p
gather was closed for sudden repairs on the eve of the gathering. This act by
the DBKL was seen as an insult to the intelligence of the people, expecting them to
believe their reason for the closure of
the Dataran which they all know is
Despite
their extreme tiredness from their arduous
13-day journey on foot from Kuantan, they were in high spirits. Even having to
finally sleep on the road due to the sudden unexpected closure of the Dataran
Merdeka did not dampen their spirits to stand steadfast in their struggle for
justice.
They presented with the same three resolutions which were
first raised at the mammoth Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rally in Kuantan on Feb 26 this
year.These resolutions were :
1. Calling the government to closedown Lynas rare earth refinery
plant
2. Closure or re-evaluation of all hazardous projects in
Malaysia including the gold mine in Bukit Koman, Pahang, the high-tension
electrical tower in Rawang, Selangor, and the refinery and petrochemical
integrated development project (Rapid) in Pengerang, Johor.
3. Calling for the end to the land grab of Orang asli
villages
Once again the people
have 'challenged’ the government in
a defiant but peaceful and lawful way. They had walked 300km from Kuantan to KL
to show their disapproval of the Lynas project which they see as a serious
health hazard to them and the environment. Malaysians from all walks of life
have are giving them total and unconditional support.
Many
say the struggle against the Lynas project is a hopeless one. Contracts have
been signed, huge payments made and license for the project approved and awarded.
Even the rare earth concentrates have arrived and transported to the refinery
in lorry loads. Are these brave Malaysians fighting a losing battle? The
government refused to listen to them before, are they going no now?
The
marchers want to take their plight directly to Prime Mister Datuk Seri Najib
but will he be willing to meet them? It needs great courage and goodwill to
meet those who oppose you. Does he have that courage and goodwill to meet the
very people he claims to serve? The scenario looks hopeless. The only hope left
is the wisdom of the people in the 13GE and we hope that will bring good news
for all Malaysians.
