Greens MP attends Malaysian Earth Charter endorsement

MEDIA RELEASE

 Wednesday 12th October 2011

Greens MLC Robin Chapple has returned from Malaysia, having met with local environmental and social activists calling for the endorsement of the Earth Charter in that country.

“I was thrilled to attend this rally of over 5000 people in Kuantan province endorsing the Earth Charter for Malaysia,” Mr Chapple said.

In the company of Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan the former President of the Malaysian Bar Council, a recipient of the US Secretary of State “International Women of Courage” Award in 2009 and two Malaysian politicians, Jenice Lee Ying Ha, Deputy Chief cum Selangor State Assemblywomen for Teratai and Fuziah Salleh, Member of Parliament for Kuantan, Pahang, Mr Chapple was privileged to address a luncheon of over a thousand guests to help launch Earth Charter Himpunan Hijau 109.

“The Charter was endorsed by the Australian Senate in 2005 to promote a global recognition of the need to cooperate on conservation and sustainability efforts, and it’s great to see so many Malaysians working towards endorsement in their country.”

“Despite the last minute cancellation of the event’s permit and police efforts to try to block the attendance of participants, the gathering of 5,000 -7,000 people was peaceful and a powerful message on behalf of the Malaysian community.”

Mr. Chapple also visited the site of the proposed Lynas rare earth processing plant, which is facing local opposition due to concerns over the dumping of radioactive waste material adjacent to the site.

“This matter is receiving significant international attention and a huge amount of global media coverage.  A lot of eyes are watching Australia and Lynas over plans to process rare earths at this site,” Mr Chapple said.

Lynas also faces opposition in Western Australia over its plans to ship rare earth, which contains the radioactive element thorium, from its Mount Weld mine through Fremantle.

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255

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