Members of the 'Save Malaysia' committee have decided not to meet with the expert review panel, which was scheduled for today, out of fear of violent protests staged by the self-proclaimed pro-Lynas group since yesterday.

NONE Committee chairperson Tan Bun Teet said the situation has spiralled out of control, with physical intimidation by the pro-Lynas group to the extent of damaging a car belonging to an anti-Lynas protester.

“We will call the panel at 2.30pm to inform them we will not attend the meeting, because we are afraid of more violence,” Tan said when contacted.

In a statement later, he said: "This group of intruders, in the presence of police, had hurled abusive language at the participants of this civil process and also attempted to manhandle them.

"The leader of the team was kicked from behind and one of them even managed to strangle the leader ... if not for quick action by the police beside him, he could have suffered severe consequences," said Tan.

NONE "Such uncivil behaviour in the presence of the police completely ignores the basic rights of a citizen.

"Whether by design or default, it has made a mockery of the process which the IAEA panel is trying to achieve - to listen to the views of stakeholders.

"We are a NGO and we do wish to present our views on the Lynas issue. But to subject ourselves to such unteanble situation of risks and safety, we have elected not to participate in the session today. "

Instead, the group made public its referendum to indicate its participation in the process.

Former ‘Save Malaysia’ chair Vincent Jiam has confirmed that he will not attend the meeting with the panel despite being scheduled to do so together with the committee.

In a brief text-message, he said that Tan has taken over as chair of the committee.

Protesters hounded

Earlier today, some 120 members of the pro-Lynas group tried to forcibly disperse a peaceful gathering on the Teluk Cempedak beach by fewer than 30 anti-Lynas protesters.

Police intervened before the situation got ugly, but the anti-Lynas protesters kept their distance, out of fear of continued aggression.

However, the pro-Lynas group, whose members claimed to be "Kuantan locals", continued to hound the protesters, disrupting a press conference by Anti-Rare Earth Action Group chairperson Andansura Rabu just after he and his team met with the IAEA panel.

NONE It is understood that Andansura (left) later lodged a police report, claiming that a window on his car had been smashed by the pro-Lynas group during the incident.

The tension in the area sparked yesterday afternoon, when about 100 people from the pro-Lynas group held a picket in support of the IAEA panel.

It was largely peaceful until the arrival of Indera Mahkota MCA Youth chief David Choi, which sparked a shouting match over his decision to wear his party uniform.

The group told Choi off, saying that everyone else had turned up as individuals and not representing any political party, and it didn't take long before pushing and shoving began.

In a brief press conference at the hotel where the panel meetings are being conducted, Choi said he has already lodged a police report on the incident, and questioned whether the police were biased in not protecting him.

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