Pas censures Federal Government over REE export hypocrisy in Perak

SHAH ALAM – Pas retaliates against the Federal Government's alleged hypocrisy regarding the export restrictions on rare-earth minerals (REE), accusing the latter of violating the ban that it itself had imposed.

In fact, party deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man claimed that the state of Perak – which is governed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) – had pocketed RM1.6 million in royalty from REE export to China.

“How can the Perak government flout the policy set by the Federal Government, that was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim? It is simply baffling. I was made to understand that Perak had been exporting its REE to China up to ten times.

“If this the case, I want to propose for state governments to have total control over matters concerning REE despite the fact that its export licenses are under the purview of the Federal Government,” said Tuan Ibrahim at a press conference at the 69th Pas Muktamar.

REE, he stressed, had always been an invaluable resource, coveted by many.

“A single load of REE in a Hilux can fetch up to RM500,000. If there are two Hilux involved, it already amounts to RM1 million, and I've heard that the RM1.6 million in royalties earned by the Perak government wasn't worth it,” Tuan Ibrahim argued.

At the press conference, he also commented on the closure of the rare-earth processing plant, Lynas, in Gebeng, Pahang which has been operating in Malaysia since 2012.

“There is an immediate need for us to train experts in the field of REE. Reports of the closure of the plant meant that Malaysia may suffer losses in terms of our homegrown REE experts who may leave the country,” said Tuan Ibrahim.

In a statement yesterday, Australian producer of rare earths, Lynas, announced that it would cease all operations in Malaysia beginning next month, with the exception of its mixed rare earth carbonate processing facility.