NST Online: Topnews

Posted: 11 Sep 2011 11:31 PM PDT

PERTH: Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum Norman Moore says there is no concern by the Australian government in respect to any operations of Lynas Corporation Ltd as the company has fulfilled all the requirements.

The Minister also voiced his pleasure in the company's involvement in developing its Mount Weld rare earth project as it has given Western Australia a chance to be a part of the world's rare earth business.

Moore, who is responsible for initiating the single biggest overhaul of Western Australia's mining industry's occupational health and safety system, also assured Malaysians that the level of radioactivity attached to the product from Mount Weld was very low, that it was not considered as dangerous goods from the point of transportation regulations.

"So it can be transported from Mount Weld to Fremantle Port and exported (to Malaysia) from there and does not require the regulatory arrangement that would relate to dangerous goods with such a low level of radioactivity attached to it. So, it meets all the requirements," he told reporters at his office.

Lynas is building a RM700 million rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang, using raw materials sourced from its Mount Weld mine, to produce rare earth products essential for making hi-tech gadgets.

From the mine, the raw materials are taken to its concentration plant within the site and processed into concentrates before they are shipped from Port of Fremantle to Malaysia to be processed into rare earth products at its Gebeng plant.

Moore said the project was important because rare earth was in demand due to the range of products using this material.

"As you are aware, there is severe competition in the world. The Chinese government has almost a monopoly with respect to rare earth, so we are aware that other countries would like to have access to rare earth and as such, we are very keen for this project to go ahead," he added.

Meanwhile, China, whichproduces 95 per cent of the world's rare earth, has been cutting its export quota, causing a global shortage of rare earth.

With the rush to find alternative source, Lynas jumped onto the bandwagon, with its rich deposits of rare earth at its mine in Mount Weld, and had set up a plant in Malaysia to be nearer to the markets.

As for opposition by some Green Party members in Australia to Lynas' Malaysian project, he said, products using rare earth were also green-related.

"Ironically, the products that used rare earth are in fact related to the things like wind turbines that the Greens might be supportive of developing because they are looking for renewable energy sources," he said.

Moore said he did not understand why they should oppose to a plant being developed in Malaysia which would provide employment and opportunities for the Malaysian people, adding that it was unfortunate for them to be also involved in Malaysian politics and the exaggerated circumstances surrounding the Gebeng plant.

"I must confess I don't understand the politics of Malaysia at the moment. I understand you are in an election mood and I can understand Green Group seeking to take advantage of the opportunities to promote the green agenda but I think it is unfortunate that the Australian Green should involve themselves in Malaysian politics, particularly these days, to be exaggerating the circumstances surrounding the project," he added.

Moore said the mining and transportation of the rare earth products from Mount Weld would be done under strict regulations in Western Australia and processing in Malaysia would be done under Malaysian laws which were rigorous as that of Australia's. -- BERNAMA

Lawmakers show it’s never too late to learn

Posted: 11 Sep 2011 10:18 AM PDT

2011/09/12
By Rahmah Ghazali
rahmah@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Our lawmakers are proving that age and work commitment are no barriers to pursuing their education at a higher level.

It is learnt that 25 of them, including six deputy ministers, are pursuing studies in various postgraduate programmes conducted by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin Abdul Rashid said she decided to pursue a doctorate in political science after giving it "a long thought".

"I spoke to my family and staff about this and, fortunately, they gave me their full support. I have always been interested in continuing my studies," she told the New Straits Times.

Asked how she would divide her time between her family, her ministerial work and her constituents in Papar, Sabah, she said she had to thank UUM for its flexible hour s.

"Even though I am doing this on a full-time basis, it is off-campus. I only attend classes when it's convenient," she said.

Considering a large number of lawmakers pursuing their post-graduate studies in UUM, the university had set up classes in Parliament building where its lecturers would come and teach.

Rosnah is working on her thesis and she expects to complete her studies by next year.

Sabak Bernam member of parliament Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakri, who was pursuing a Master's in Political Administration, said the first few months of his studies "were the hardest".

"But it is better now, especially with the support of my family and friends," said the 46-year-old.

However, he admitted that he felt "awkward " when attending classes with students half his age.

"I have to tellmy classmates to call me by my name and not 'Datuk'," said Rahman, who expected to gradu at e in February.

For Hulu Selangor MP P. Kamalanathan, pursuing his postgraduate studies had made him realise the importance of life-long learning.

"However, time management is crucial as I also need to meet the people in my constituency.

"Luckily, my studies have not stopped me from doing that yet," said Kamalanathan, who is doing his Master's in Public Administration.

"But I still give priority to my constituency.

If I don't get to attend classes because of this, I will just replace the credit hours later." Kamalanathan said he was waiting for the university to approve the draft of his thesis so that he could continue his research, a process that could take up to 1½ years.

Others pursuing their postgraduate studies include deputy ministers Datuk Noriah Kasnon (Energy, Green Technology and Water), Datuk S.K.

Devamany (Prime Minister's Department), Datuk Fadhillah Yusof (Science, Technology and Innovation), Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Transport) and Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives) .

The others are Datuk Halimah Siddique (Tenggara MP), Datuk Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (Kuala Nerus), Datuk Mohd Jiddin Shafee (Setiu), Datuk Raime Unggi (Tenom), Datuk Sapawi (Sipitang), Datuk Shamsul Anuar (Lenggong), Datuk Ismail Mohd Said (Kuala Krau), Datuk Ismail Abdul Mutalib (Maran), Nizar Zakaria (Parit), Datuk Idris Harun (Tangga Batu), Datuk Md Sirat (Bukit Katil), Datuk Lilah Yassin (Jempol), Datuk Noraini Ahmad (Parit Sulong), Hamim Samuri (Ledang) and Datuk Baharum Mohamad (Sekijang).

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Ahad, 11 September 2011

NST Online: Topnews

NST Online: Topnews

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