Ignoring science at our peril

    by Professor Dato Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim,

LETTERS: I recently came across news that Lynas, the rare earths processing company that has been the subject of much ridicule, is busy putting the final touches to its new plant in Texas, United States.

Many of our local people who work for Lynas in Kuantan are among the team involved in the Texas plant. What a pity. We are still entangled in the unnecessary controversy of getting Lynas out of the country.

While others are exploring opportunities emerging in the downstream uses of rare earths, there are those here who still argue about the waste produced by that rare earths processing facility.

Speaking to a radiation expert recently, I came to realise the tragic consequences of ignorance that befall us.

He was appalled by the fuss caused by some, when, in actual fact, the radiation level of the Lynas residues, at less than one unit, poses no danger.

In fact, the radiation level of the amang from tin mines, often left openly unattended, is higher.

What is even more mind-boggling is that the Lynas plant residues are rich in phosphates, a fertiliser that we import in large quantities for the plantation industry.

What is unacceptable is when such ignorance comes from leaders who are comparatively more educated.

Those in the know view such ignorance as a tragedy for the nation.

This is because, as a result of the uncalled for controversy, the country has missed the opportunity to capitalise on the presence of Lynas in our midst.

The truth is the rare earths elements that Lynas supplies to the world present a lot of economic opportunities for our country.

We talk a lot about making the country a high-income economy. But what we practise is in conflict with these aspirations.

How can we achieve the high-income target if our minimum wage is below the poverty level? Even the RM1,500 level suggested by the government is ridiculed by some.

Instead of hounding Lynas, we should instead expand our investment in rare earths.

According to the nation's geologists, there are areas in the country that have rich deposits of rare earths.

We should start to responsibly mine these treasures instead of exporting bare earths as we did in the bauxite scandal.

If we are to achieve a high-income economy, we should look at how to add value to our raw materials.

Our manufacturers should be incentivised to produce intermediates as well as final products from rare earths. We should promote foreign direct investment in rare earth-based products.

Making high-powered magnets is a popular route taken by countries. These magnets will find demand in many applications, including those needed in electric mobility and the military.

And we all know that the future of transport is in electric. We should not miss this opportunity to be a player in this business.

Ignorance in the science of rare earths is one tragedy we should learn from and make amends. The other that troubles the nation now is the ignorance of vaccination science.

This is despite vaccination being deployed for decades in the management of infectious diseases all over the world.

This is also despite all the evidences shared by scientists around the world. Instead of spreading falsehoods about vaccination, we should tell people about the science.

Conspiracy theories bandied around are not backed by evidence. It is unfortunate that those who are ignorant are taken in by fake claims.

It is time we wake up to the consequences of ignorance.

We will miss out on opportunities that can bring positive change to the nation.