Linus and Pentagon Rare Earth Agreement Sparks Protest, Malaysian Parliament to Hold Hearing

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Central News Agency) - A senior Malaysian lawmaker said on Thursday that Parliament will hold a hearing on July 16 to discuss the $96 million rare earth supply agreement signed earlier this year between Australia's Lynas Rare Earths and the U.S. Pentagon.

Reuters reported that Lynas, which operates one of the world's largest rare earth processing plants in Malaysia, has faced protests over the four-year deal with the Pentagon.

Some human rights groups have criticized the company for providing materials for U.S.-made weapons used by Israel in the Gaza war against Hamas. Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, has long supported the Palestinian cause and has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

Wong Chen, chairman of the Malaysian Parliament's Special Committee on International Relations and Trade, said the hearing aims to ascertain the details of the agreement between Lynas and the Pentagon and whether it violates any local policies.

Wong Chen told reporters that testimony will be heard from representatives of Lynas, Malaysian government officials, as well as environmental groups and human rights activists.

He added that the hearing's findings will be submitted as recommendations for the government to formulate future rare earth policies, as Malaysia actively seeks investment to build its domestic rare earth industry.

Wong Chen said, "What are these rare earths used for? ... If it's for renewable energy, we will support it, but if it's for weapons, I think we should say no."

Wong Chen made the remarks after receiving a memorandum from about 50 protesters, including activists from Greenpeace and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, who gathered outside Parliament calling for greater transparency and accountability in the rare earth supply chain. (Compiled by Liu Shu-chin) 1150706

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