In a statement, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said it was “most alarmed” to learn that the Perak government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinalco GXNF Rare Earth Development on the exploration of rare earths in Perak.

SAM president Meenakshi Raman said Perak was already home to a radioactive permanent waste facility in the Kledang Range which contained harmful thorium and uranium waste from the defunct ARE which was operational from the mid-1980s to 1990s.

“It is most shocking that the Perak state government as well as the ministry have not learnt the tragic lessons of the ARE plant that resulted in serious radioactive poisoning in the Bukit Merah community.”

Meenakshi said this allegedly included high incidences of deaths among children who suffered from leukaemia and cancer, children with elevated levels of lead in their blood, and above-normal rates of miscarriages among pregnant women.

She said it was “most irresponsible” for the Perak government and the ministry to promote “environmentally unsound” investments in rare earths despite the lessons from ARE and Lynas’ rare earth operations in Gebeng, Pahang.

Lynas has repeatedly defended the safety of its operations, citing various local and international audits including by the past and present government, as well as the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency.

FMT has reached out to the Perak menteri besar and the water, land and natural resources ministry for comment.