Kuala lumpur: The construction of the permanent disposal facility (PDF) for Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s radioactive waste has reached 72 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2026. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang reported this progress during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the progress was slightly behind the original target of 82 per cent but remains satisfactory overall. The PDF is being constructed in stages, with four cells-Cell A, Cell B, Cell C, and Cell D-already completed. The process of filling these cells with water leach purification (WLP) waste is currently underway. Chang addressed questions from Jamaludin Yahya (PN-Pasir Salak) about Lynas’ radioactive waste management strategy, including the need for a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and long-term mitigation measures.
Regarding the implementation of the HIA on the community surrounding Lynas’ operations in Gebeng, Pahang, Chang explained that the study was not deemed necessary at this stage, as there have been no reports of increased health cases in the area. He stated that the HIA would be conducted if necessary, and so far, no feedback from the Ministry of Health (MOH) indicates the need to implement it.
In response to questions about compliance with international standards, Chang stated that Lynas must adhere to the Radioactive Waste Management Plan approved by the Department of Atomic Energy (JTA), covering legal compliance, monitoring, and risk mitigation measures. The JTA conducts periodic inspections to ensure Lynas’ operations comply with the Atomic Energy Licensing Act (Act 304) and the conditions of its licence, while also carrying out radiological monitoring within and outside the plant area.
Chang highlighted that monitoring results showed no increase in radiation levels, with radiation exposure data not exceeding 1 millisievert per year for the public and 20 millisieverts per year for workers. In response to a supplementary question from Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) on the government’s long-term plans to address radioactive waste storage issues, Chang said radioactive materials from other sectors like medicine and research are managed by the Malaysian Nuclear Agency under strict regulations in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.
He added that Malaysia currently has two permanent disposal facilities, one in Lahat, Perak, with a capacity of 90,000 metric tonnes, and another in Gebeng, Pahang, with a capacity of 1.6 million metric tonnes. The establishment of the SES Fund, a special fund to manage radioactive waste, aims to improve the effective and systematic management of radioactive waste.