As safe as a ketchup plant.
vs
Deputy Minister in trouble after saying Lynas plant “as safe as a kicap factory”
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah found himself in hot water after declaring the Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, to be "as safe as a kicap factory".
Abu Bakar's reply, which was viewed as a mockery by representatives of the anti-Lynas group and several opposition lawmakers, sparked off a heated argument between them and Abu Bakar, who was fumbling through his notes as he looked for answers.
In the midst of the argument, he made another revelation: "I have been in this job for only three months and I need to understand and read up on the chronology of the events on Lynas."
He found himself in more trouble after revealing that he had visited the plant only once and found the operations safe.
"How can you call this project safe after visiting it only once? We have been living with it for more than two years," Tan Bun Teet, chairman of activist group Safe Malaysia, Stop Lynas (SMSL) shouted.
Another resident then advised Abu Bakar to "do his homework" before talking like an expert on the plant.
He then offered to organise an all-expenses paid trip to the plant.
Fuziah Salleh (PKR-Kuantan), however, said it was more important to have a dialogue with the affected residents, adding, however, that "this has not happened, since the government has declared it safe".
When Abu Bakar kept insisting the plant was safe, some of the residents lashed out at him.
"Why are you defending Lynas? As a government official, you are supposed to defend us. Now you know why we booted BN representatives out," one resident said.
"I have to protect it as the AELB (Atomic Energy Licensing Board) which issued the TOL (Temporary Operating Licence) to Lynas comes under my ministry, so I have to protect it," he responded.
Abu Bakar also said the plant was the best employer in Kuantan with 354 workers on its payroll enjoying good remuneration.
His remark angered G. Manivannan (PKR-Kapar) who asked Abu Bakar how that was a point to be jubilant about.
"Please be more responsible when making statements. That is the least of our concerns here," he said.
The heated exchange took place at the old wing of Parliament.
At a press conference later, Fuziah said the ministry had not disclosed all information to the public, especially concerning the residents' safety, citing the long-standing query on the location of the permanent disposal facility for waste from the rare earth plant.
"They (ministry) said that they cannot disclose the details. Why? Why not?" she asked. - September 26, 2013.
GOD HELP US
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