He said it was also unfair to equate Lynas with the culprits behind the Sungai Kim Kim river contamination incident in Pasir Gudang as Lynas had been operating under the eagle eye of various agencies, non-profit organisations and the public.
“Lynas has been monitored from the first day we began operations and until today, there is not a single incident that requires alarm like what happened in Sungai Kim Kim.
“We followed the rules as we should.
“We have evidence, facts and data that were made available to the public. Thus, it is not exactly the same to compare these two (incidents),” he told reporters here today.
Earlier, an anti-Lynas group, Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL), held a press conference to raise their concerns on the possibility that Sungai Balok’s mangrove reserve, which is located in the same district with LAMP, had been contaminated
Among others, SMSL was questioning the cost of cleaning up Lynas’ contamination and waste, if the cost to clean up Sungai Kim Kim itself had reached millions of ringgit.
Ismail, a PhD holder from Colorado State University, also stressed that it was unfair for others to blame Lynas on the executive review committee’s report regarding the finding of heavy metals in underground water.
“The executive committee did not point a finger at Lynas.
“What they actually recommended (in the report) was for it (presence of heavy metals) to be investigated.
“There are a lot of activities being carried out around Lynas’ plant since 2015 onwards.
“Of course, we welcome an independent body to carry out the investigation because if we do it, some members of the public would accuse us of bias.
“Those with evidence to show that it was caused by us should also come forward,” he said.
Ismail also expressed hope that the public could be more open-minded on the Lynas issues and look for scientific evidence and data, and not merely be influenced by their unfounded feelings.
He said the latest review committee, in their report submitted to the government at the end of 2018, also had the “same positive rhythm” with the first committee formed in 2012.
“The executive review committee had been formed under the administration of two governments (Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan). They were appointed by the minister and consist of experts in different fields.
“They made the conclusion and Lynas has no way to interfere in that. The conclusion was based on data and evidence, which are not something that Lynas has the power to create,” he said.