Anti-Lynas activist to contest in Bentong under DAP ticket

The candidacy of the vocal 53-year-old environmental activist, well-known for his NGO which lobbies against controversial Lynas rare earth plant in Gebeng, Pahang, was announced by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today.

The current Bentong MP is MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai, who also the current health minister. Liow won the seat, regarded as a BN stronghold, in 2008 against PKR's G Ponusamy with a majority of 12, 549.

"If we win Bentong, we are confident we can take over Putrajaya. That's how significant and impactful this seat is," Lim told a room packed with reporters at the party headquarters here.

“We are up against a giant(Liow) in Bentong, so we cannot field in just any individual or candidate, but a whole organisation: Himpunan Hijau,” said Lim.

Meanwhile, Wong, who was reportedly threatened to burn down the rare earth refinery, made a surprising statement that he would welcomed Lynas to set up operations in the country if the company fully comply with the laws and can make Malaysia green as well as improve the environment.

“Lynas came in to Malaysia through the back door, but if they come through the front door and fully comply with all the laws, and if they can make Malaysia green and improve the environment, I would welcome them, and even other industries,” said Wong, when asked if he agreed with the statement by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on allowing Lynas if it passed a public inquiry.