PR to scrap Lynas and Rapid if …
Chua addressing the 3,000-strong crowd clad in green
PENGERANG, JOHOR (Sept 30, 2012): Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng says the controversial RM60 billion Petronas Refinery and Petrochemicals Development (Rapid) project
will be scrapped if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) gets the mandate from Malaysians to form the next federal government.
“That is a decision made by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This is his message I am bringing here to you now,” he said to a thunderous round of applause by a 3,000-strong crowd of Himpunan Hijau supporters in Sungai Rengit town this morning.
“We will not support any project that causes undue misery to the rakyat, that uproots thousands of people, that destroys human settlements and that destroys the environment. And that includes Lynas.
“This RM60 billion Rapid not only poses a public health hazard to the Pengerang folk, it is about grabbing 22,500 acres at dirt cheap prices,” said Chua who is also PKR vice-president.
Saying the prayers before addressing the crowd below, the empty seat was reserved for Pengerang MP Azalina Othman who did not have the courage to face her constituents and activists.
Chua, who was among some 20 leaders from non-governmental organisations, environmental activists, political parties and locals invited to speak on stage, said PKR lawyers were already representing landowners to battle it out in court with the Johor government and its Rapid cronies.
“We are representing the descendants of those buried in five Chinese cemeteries and fishermen for loss of earnings and properties.
“Only last weekend I visited the affected villages in Pengerang to check out the situation. The people in Kampung Sungai Kapal, Chinese and Malays, have been told to move out.
“No compensation, no temporary accommodation offered by your Mentri Besar Ghani Othman.
“This is simply about bullying the rakyat. Lawan (kita) tetap lawan (Fight, we must fight),” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters on the sideline, Chua said: “Pengerang is an Umno stronghold with 87% Malay voters. Umno thinks Pengerang is their fixed deposit because of the thousands of Felda settlers.
“Although their land is not affected, the acid rain and emission of toxic gases that comes with Rapid will affect oil palm trees, maritime production and industries, and public health.
“For cronies and sinful profits, Umno is now grabbing land in Johor not only from the living but also from the dead.
“Acquiring 22,500 acres under the Land Acquisition Act (1960) for an oil refinery and petrochemical complex is blatantly ridiculous.
“In so doing, Umno is wiping out 17 villages, 11 Muslim cemeteries and seven non-Muslim graveyards,” he added.
