Source: The Malaysian Insider

June 22, 2012

JUNE 22 — Mr Prime Minister, thank you for clearing the air on the Lynas rare earth refinery in Gebeng. You say scientific facts have shown that it is safe, sir.

We have no doubt it is safe, sir. If it wasn’t, your “Janji Ditepati” government wouldn’t allow it on our blessed soil.

Just so you know, sir, the people in Kuantan think differently. Because, sir, they live in proximity to this great venture that has a 12-year tax holiday courtesy of your administration, sir.

And I have to agree with them, sir. Would you like even a remotely-toxic plant in your neighbourhood, sir?

Would you like something like that in your childhood home in Pekan or your personal residence in Jalan Duta or near Seri Perdana, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, sir?

You see, sir, allowing the Lynas project to go ahead above the considerations of the Kuantan residents is morally wrong. And if I was them, sir I would exercise my voting power in Kuantan and Pahang and at the national level to ensure those who approved the venture get kicked out of office.

Just my personal thoughts, sir, because you are going to the polls soon. Well, if you don’t flip-flop, you have until April 28 to decide on the general election, sir,

As you yourself said, sir, when taking office in April 2009: The era of government know best is over.

People know better, sir, and their power through the ballot box is a crucial weapon for you to know that you are at their mercy in the 13th general election. Not just in Kuantan or Pahang, sir, but the entire country.

If you can allow this to happen in your home state, sir, what wouldn’t you allow it elsewhere in Malaysia? At least your father brought them Kuantan Port, no matter how badly it was done.

But you, sir, why do you inflict this on your home state?

Till today, it is inconceivable why you and your government are so keen on bringing an investment that many Malaysians don’t want and don’t trust.

Lynas can go many more places, sir, if there are willing hosts. Even their own country, Australia, would welcome them, sir. Or won’t they?

The parliamentary select committee (PSC), sir, had only one job. To convince the people that Lynas is safe.

Yes, sir, it is safe. But their waste dump could, I repeat, sir, could be not safe.

The PSC, sir, was nothing more than a rubber stamp, another charade by an administration big on gimmicks and slogan and “show” RCIs”.

You know, sir, I like you because you have great ideas for 1 Malaysia but I don’t agree with you on this. This is for the country’s future, sir, not yours as our prime minister.

Therefore, Mr Prime Minister who has yet to get his own mandate, if the objective of Pakatan Rakyat is to kill off this project if it takes over Putrajaya, I will agree with them and vote for them.

If there other Malaysian who feel strongly enough about Lynas as I do, they should also vote for Pakatan, sir.

When that happens, sir, the Gebeng plant will be a white elephant.

We don’t owe anything to the Australians, sir. We shouldn’t be cowed by words or threats from some Australian businessman, sir.

You know how Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad treated the Australians, sir. Follow him. And repeat after me, Malaysia belongs to us.

We decide, sir. We decide if Lynas should be a guest here for 12 tax-free years, employing just 300 people and hiring our transport operators to produce something for the world.

We also decide on the next government, sir.

If you want to be leading that government, sir, you have to decide to scrap the project. Because, if you don’t, sir, I and the rest of Malaysia will make sure you lose Putrajaya and go down in history as the first BN leader to lose big.

You have time to decide and save your political career and legacy, Mr Prime Minister. Or leave it to us to decide for you, sir.

* Jaleel Hameed reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider