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LYNAS MOVES TO MALAYSIA, INTO THE TIGER’S DEN?

Malaysiakini

12:16PM Jul 2, 2014

Rare earths miner Lynas to move HQ to Malaysia

Australia-listed rare earths producer Lynas Corp will shift its headquarters to Malaysia and cut jobs to reduce costs as it looks to lift output of the minerals used in a range of high-tech equipment.

Following setbacks over the last two years in boosting output of rare earths mined in Australia and processed at a plant in Malaysia, Lynas also said in a statement today that key elements of production had operated at target-capacity in the last quarter.

“This streamlining of office locations is the first in a series of initiatives aimed at simplifying our approach,” said Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze.

Other costs savings will include reducing workforce numbers, renegotiating contracts with suppliers and improving procurement practices, the company said.

Lynas, one of two producers of rare earths oxides outside China, has struggled to ramp up its A$873 million plant in Malaysia since it started operating in November 2012 due to technical problems.

Lynas mines rare earths from its Mount Weld mine in Western Australia, grinds them to granular size and ships them to its advanced materials plant in Pahang, Malaysia.

The slow ramp-up and a slump in rare earths prices have squeezed the firm’s funding, forcing it to raise A$40 million through a share sale in May and tap Nomura to refinance US$215 million in debt, provided by Japan’s Sojitz and state-run Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp.

Lynas replaced its chief executive in June, appointing Lacaze, a former telecommunications executive, as the company’s second new head in just over a year, counting on her marketing savvy.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/267441

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Malaysiakini

7:55PM Jun 27, 2014

Kiwi anti-Lynas activist Lowrey released

After being detained for five days, New Zealand national Natalie Lowrey, who has Australian permanent residency, was released this evening with no decision from the authorities yet to on whether to charge her in court, said Kuantan OCPD Abdul Aziz Salleh.

“She was released today unconditionally on police bail, she will have her passport back and she can leave Malaysia and go anywhere she likes,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini.
…

Abdul Aziz said the foreign activist was investigated under Section 145 of the Penal Code and Section 39B of the Immigration Act for allegedly overstaying, and police have concluded their probe.

But after receiving the advice of the deputy public prosecutor, the police will need to investigate her case further, he said.

“So no decision was made on whether she will be charged,” he said, adding that if the prosecution decides to charge her, then she will need to come back to stand trial in a Malaysian court.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/267055

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THE POLICE WON’T FREE NATALIE LOWREY ON POLICE BAIL

Free Malaysia Today

I was denied access to lawyer, claims Aussie woman

PETALING JAYA: An Australian national, Natalie Lowrey, who was arrested yesterday for taking part in a protest against Lynas Corporation’s rare earth plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, claimed that she was denied permission to see her lawyer.

“I was arrested with a housewife, a chef, a veterinarian, a businessman, a retiree and 10 others,” she told Australian newspaper Green Left Weekly.

“These people are everyday people that have families in Kuantan and are concerned about their future generations. This type of toxic industry does destroy lives, as seen by Asian Rare Earth’s refinery in Bukit Merah,” she said.

Lowrey was reportedly denied bail and may be charged in court.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/06/23/i-was-denied-access-to-lawyer-claims-aussie-woman/

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THE POLICE WON’T FREE NATALIE LOWREY ON POLICE BAIL

Australian activist Natalie Lowrey, who was among the 16 people arrested by the police during the anti-Lynas protest yesterday, was denied bail and may be charged in court.

www.themalaymailonline.com

http://plantothrive.net.au/2014/05/activist-stories-natalie/

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Himpunan Hijau supporters are attacked.

Wait several seconds for the video to appear.

01:08

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Malaysiakini

10:38AM Jun 23, 2014

OCPD: Aussie activist can’t be freed on police bail

Australian activist Natalie Lowrey, who was among the 16 people arrested by the police during the anti-Lynas protest yesterday, was denied bail and may be charged in court.

Kuantan OCPD Abdul Aziz Salleh confirmed that Lowrey was still being detained at the Kuantan police district headquarters and cannot be freed on police bail, although the rest had been allowed bail.

He said that she was being investigated under Section 145 of the Penal Code and Section 39(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

According to Abdul Aziz, Lowrey had abused her passport by allegedly participating in an unlawful assembly, an offence under Section 39(b) of the Immigration Act.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/266512

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Malaysiakini

9:00AM Jun 23, 2014

Himpunan Hijau supporters ‘assaulted’

Several Himpunan Hijau supporters were allegedly assaulted in front of Kuantan police district headquarters where they had gathered in a show of support for 16 anti-Lynas protestors arrested yesterday.

According to DAP’s Ketari assemblyperson Lee Chin Chen, the incident occurred at around 1am this morning.

Lee claimed that supporters were assaulted by from the same group that had participated in the attack at the Kuantan DAP office last month.

“Six people were assaulted by them, and I was nearly beaten up. Fortunately there were people who stopped the thugs,” Lee alleged.

“The victims immediately sought for help from police personnel guarding the main entrance (of the Kuantan police district headquarters), but not only did they not offer any help, they even locked the gate and pushed away whoever who wanted to get into the premises,” he told Malaysiakini in a Whatsapp message

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/266501

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Video: “Kekecohan” tercetus apabila peserta enggan berganjak

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Our comrades Wong Tack, Dr Phua Kia Yaw, Jimmy Wong, Dr Hew Kuan Yaw, Natalie Lowrey( Aus), Ali Akbar Othman, Rafar Ahmad, Steven Ta Weng Seng, Lee Khai Ming, Mr Cheong& etc to be confirm are under arrested! We are heading to police station IPD(beside komplek Teruntum) now to support them!
我們的戰友黃德，潘家耀醫生，Jimmy wong (王志偉）超人邱光耀，Natalie Lowrey( 澳洲), Thomas Wang（黃湯姆）Rafar Ahmad, Steven Ta Weng Seng, Lee Khai Ming, Mr Cheong（張觀運） 及其他有待證實的戰友已經被警方逮捕。我們目前正前往關丹警區總部（etc to be (Teruntum大廈旁）聲援他們！

Himpunan Hijau 2.0: Langkah Lestari

6 minutes ago

Dari yb Chean chung
16 Orang yang ditahan depan Lynas adalah
來自yb健聰
16人在稀土場前面被抓:
1. Hew kuan yau
2. Thomas wang
3. Zamri Zanal
4. Wong Tack
5. Natalie Lowrey
6. Tan chee hooi
7. Rafar ahmad
8. Lee khai ming
9. Steven ta
10. Chong kong yuen
11. Raymond ng bin abdullah
12. Phua kia yaw
13. Wong chee wai
14. Wong chee wen
15. Foong poh choo
16. Ho kim huat
——————-
If can’t come, In solidarity by call!
在遠方的你,請打電話聲援！Ibu Pejabat Daerah (IPD) Kuantan
Telefon : 09-513 2222, 09-513 2512
電話打不通就打fax
Faks : 09-513 0454, 09-515 7119.Sebarkan請分享!

See Translation

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Malaysiakini

5:14PM Jun 22, 2014

Superman, Aussie nabbed at Lynas protest

At least 16 anti-Lynas protestors were arrested for refusing to budge from the entrance of Lynas’ rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

Among those arrested included Himpunan Hijau chief Wong Tack (left in photo), steering committee member Dr Phua Kia Yaw and DAP firebrand speaker Hew Kuan Yau, popularly nicknamed ‘Superman’.

Also nabbed was Australian activist Natalie Lowrey, who represents Friends of the Earth who was there to support the protesters.

They were taken to the Kuantan police district headquarters.

Some 1,000 people had converged at the entrance of the factory with around 300 vehicles as early as noon in a blockade of the plant to demand for its closure.
…

The situation became tense as neither side was willing to concede, with protesters rooting themselves on the road.

At around 4.30pm, Kuantan police chief Abdul Aziz Salleh issued an ultimatum, ordering the crowd to disperse within 10 minutes.

However, a defiant Wong said, “We will not budge from here.”
…

Subsequently, Abdul Aziz announced the protesters’ time was up.

“If you do not want to disperse, then I have no choice but to have you arrested,” he said before instructing his men to do so.

Several of the protesters seated on the ground were then arrested by police and taken to Kuantan district police headquarters (IPD).

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/266465

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Standing between the activists and Lynas today however, is the police, which has insisted that the mega rally is an unlawful assembly punishable by the Penal Code.

Kuantan police also obtained a last minute court order from a Magistrate Court yesterday, which prohibits anybody from being within a 20-metre radius from Lamp.

District police chief Abdul Aziz Ahmad declined to detail the police security measures that will be taken at the plant tomorrow to enforce the court injunction, only saying the police will “do their job”.

Sunday, 22 June 2014

YAHOO! NEWS MALAYSIA

Face-off imminent as greenies seek to shutter Lynas plant

The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — The greenies have had enough.

After Australian miner Lynas Corp ignored their ultimatum to quit Malaysia earlier this year, environmental activist group Himpunan Hijau vowed to shut down the rare earths refinery in Gebeng, Pahang with their own hands.

Thousands of its supporters have pledged to converge outside the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (Lamp) starting noon today, possibly to stage another blockade.

“We will close them down, shut them down by June 22. That is the clear message we want to send to Lynas management, get yourselves ready and get out before we get in,” said Wong Tack, the group’s leader, earlier this week.
…

The mega rally, dubbed “622 Shutdown Lynas” is also set to receive a boost from political figures besides long-time ally Kuantan MP Fuziah MP, including PKR’s Chua Tian Chang and PAS’s Mohamad Sabu.

Just earlier this week, Fuziah was booted out of the Parliament for merely standing up to ask Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to explain move to reject a petition to debate the safety of the Lynas.

rare earth plant in Kuantan.

Local activists such as polls reform group Bersih 2.0’s chief Maria Chin Abdullah and national poet A. Samad Said will also be present.

International observers will also train their eyes on the rally today, as international activists group Greenpeace has sent its representatives, in addition to two Australian anti-Lynas activists.

The two Australians ― Tully McIntyre and Natalie Lowrey ― are mining activists, and part of the Stop Lynas movement in their country.

https://my.news.yahoo.com/face-off-imminent-greenies-seek-shutter-lynas-plant-011400501.html

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Refusal to abide to the order will be regarded as contempt of court.

Malaysiakini

5:14PM Jun 21, 2014

Cops get court injunction to stop anti-Lynas blockade

The police have obtained a seven-day court injunction to prevent a blockade called by environmental pressure group Himpunan Hijau tomorrow at the main entrance to Lynas Corporation’s rare earths refinery in Gebeng, Pahang.

Kuantan OCPD Abdul Aziz Ahmad said that the authority had obtained the court order this afternoon as a preventive measure against tomorrow’s protest.

According to him, the injunction prohibits anyone from getting within 20 metres of the plant beginning from today until next Friday.

“Because they did not apply for a permit for this gathering, so whoever who comes tomorrow will commit a crime under section 143 of the Penal code (unlawful assembly),” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/266399

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Monday, June 16, 2014

By Natalie Lowrey

Poster says “622 Shut down Lynas”.

I am currently in Kuantan, Malaysia, with fellow Australian activist Tully Starr, standing in solidarity with hundreds of thousands of Malaysians who vehemently oppose Australian rare earth miner, Lynas Corporation and their highly toxic and radioactive rare earth refinery plant near this city of 600,000 people.

On June 22 (“622” as the movement has tagged it) we will be standing with hundreds of Malaysians at the gates of the Lynas plant to shut it down. Follow our reports on your smart phones and laptops. Be part of the push for renewables energies, get educated on rare earths and support this campaign.

* * *

DAY 1 (June 16): This morning Isaiah Jacob is joining others making the extraordinary 300km walk from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan where Lynas has its toxic and radioactive rare earth refining plant. The 622 Shut Down Lynas campaign is organised by Himpunan Hijau (Green Assembly). Last November, Himpunan Hijau activists staged a three-day occupation outside Lynas Corporation’s HQ in Sydney.

“As a person with a disability, I know how difficult life can be. More so, I know the pain felt by parents who have handicapped children . Therefore, I’m taking up this challenge and willingly go through this suffering as an effort to support the Shut Down Lynas campaign. I don’t want to see a child or family suffer due to radioactive pollution,” explained Jacob.

While the walkers set off on foot from Kuala Lumpur, another group of supporters on bicycles assembled in Johor Bahru outside the town’s iconic clocktower. A group of activists from Himpunan Hijau started cycling 2,800km across Malaysia on May 15.

For more:

https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/56646

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China Press (中國報)

3 hours ago

　（吉隆坡16日訊）殘障人士以“行動”支持622關閉萊納斯稀土廠運動！http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/535547

　(Kuala Lumpur, 16th) for people with disabilities to “action” rare earth plant movement supports 622 off Linus! http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/535547 (Translated by Bing

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China Press (中國報)

7 hours ago

中國報訊：殘障人士以“行動”支持“622關閉萊納斯稀土廠運動”！
“獨腳戰士”伊沙阿今早9時從獨立廣場開始步行往彭亨格賓，誓言用“行動”來支持關閉萊納斯稀土廠運動，並呼吁公眾齊來反公害。
圖為伊沙阿出發前，先享用咖啡冰。

China News: disabled with “action” supporting “622 closed Linus rare-earth plant movement”!
“One-legged Warrior” Yi Sha at 9 o’clock this morning walk to the penghenggebin starting from independence square, vowing to use “action” to support close Linus rare-earth plant movement, and called on the public to come against pollution. Yi Sha prior to departure, coffee ice. (Translated by Bing)

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Himpunan Hijau 2.0: Langkah Lestari

June 12 · Edited

Day 29 -(12/06/14)-
From SEGAMAT → BATU PAHATKick start！
出发了！

“2800KM GREEN RIDES, 622 SHUT DOWN LYNAS!”
“鐵馬長征，622終結萊納斯！”
Hotline: 012-9796227For more info about green journey daily’s station, please check 欲查詢每日抵達城鎮 → http://tinyurl.com/ph2czsc

Set out. (Translated by Bing)

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