Anwar confirms Lynas given 6-month extension

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed yesterday that the government has provided Lynas Malaysia with a six-month extension to fulfil the conditions of its operating licence in the country.

"I think that Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang will give a detailed explanation but from our understanding, the extension is contingent upon conditions and will strictly observed," he said in a brief statement.

A news outlet had reported on Lynas’ extension, which was based on an appeal submitted by the company over four conditions imposed by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board.

The appeal was a last-ditch effort to ensure that the rare earth producer could continue operations in Gebeng, Kuantan, after July 1.

The company had repeatedly defended itself, claiming that its operations were safe and saying that the implementation of such licensing conditions would result in a loss of jobs in Malaysia.