His claims contradicts an earlier government statement that the proposal had come from Lynas.

Rawi Zin, deputy director-general of the agency, told a forum here that the idea came about after the agency realised that there was a market for the radioactive metal as fuel for nuclear power plants to produce heat to power turbines.

“The proposal to extract thorium did not come from Lynas but us. We wanted to extract thorium because it can help us. There is a market for us to extract thorium and that is what we wanted.” said Rawi at the forum with the theme “U-Turn on Lynas’s licence conditions”.

The forum was organised by environmental groups Himpunan Hijau and Save Malaysia Stop Lynas to seek an explanation on the government’s decision to extend Lynas’s licence.

Atomic Energy Licensing Board director Raja Abdul Aziz said Malaysia was looking into methods of thorium extraction and had invited experts from China to assist.

“But the government would prefer for local authorities to oversee the process,” he said, in response to concerns by Himpunan Hijau activist Bang Seet Ping on thorium extraction.

She had earlier suggested for Malaysia to rope in experts from other countries to process the radioactive waste. “And we should get Lynas to pay for it.”

Bang also questioned the deposit of US$50 million (over RM200 million) made by Lynas with the AELB to pay for its permanent disposal facility. She said the amount was insufficient as the facility itself cost RM400 million.