Environmental groups have urged Malaysia’s capital Putrajaya to scrutinise foreign investment and not put financial gains above environmental concerns. This concern is in response to the government warning against scaring off investors if the controversial rare earth miner Lynas Corp were shunned. Malaysian Nature Society president, Ahmad Ismail, raised concerns around local and international investors adding to environmental pollution, such as the most recent incidents in Sungai Kim Kim and Pasir Gudang, specifically the rubber and palm oil industries. The NGO Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) questioned whether the investment justified the damage done to the environment and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has raised the issue of damaged water supplies and depleting natural resources. Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Mahathir Bin Mohamad, has warmed that rejection of investment from companies such as Lynas would harm opportunities with potential future international investors. The Environmental Protection Society of Malaysia said the country should be more selective of foreign investment, instead of encouraging investment from waste-producing industries.

Posted by

Malay Mail