Kuala Lumpur: Some 3,000 Malaysians have staged a protest against a rare earth refinery being built by Australian miner Lynas amid fears of radioactive pollution.
Sunday`s protest marks the largest rally against the plant in eastern Malaysia, and could pose a headache to the government ahead of national elections widely expected this year.
Authorities recently approved an operating license for the Lynas plant, which could curtail China`s monopoly on the global supply of rare earths for making high-tech goods.
Protesters, including opposition lawmakers, vowed to pressure the government to scrap the project. Some shouted "Destroy Lynas" during the two-hour rally in eastern Malaysia.
Lynas says its plant is equipped with high-tech pollution controls.
Bureau Report
