A coalition of NGOs led by Anything But Umno (ABU) is to organise a nationwide anti-Lynas rally to counter allegations that the issue is confined to Kuantan or the Malaysian Chinese community.

The rally will be held in every state on April 13 after Friday prayers, with Dataran Merdeka in Shah Alam, Selangor being the main venue. Other locations will be announced later.

NONE "We are Malaysian citizens. Regardless of race, we will object to the Lynas' factory," said Badan Bertindak Anti-Rare Earth (Badar) advisor Zulkefly Mohamad Omar ( left in photo ) who headed the press conference today.

“If the people of Kuantan, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Sabah and Sarawak are not loud enough, then we will send an even louder message to the administration on the 13th of April,” said ABU coordinator Haris Ibrahim, while making reference to the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rally on Feb 26.

NONE Haris ( left ) added that BN needs to be told that raising racial or religious issues is no longer an effective tactic.

When asked for specific examples of Lynas being presented as a racial issue, Himpunan Hijau committee member Lee Chin Chen claimed that Pahang MB Adnan Yaakob told the state legislative assembly last year that the Lynas issue was a Chinese community issue.

Lee also told reporters that the committee had received many enquiries about when the next Himpunan Hijau would take place.

“We have rearranged the Himpunan Hijau 3.0 committee after Himpunan Hijau 2.0 and are working on the matter. We will make an announcement once the committee has reached a decision.

“I urge everyone to be patient and ready to welcome and give full support to Himpunan Hijau 3.0,” he said.

The other NGOs present at the press conference included Kumplulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen, Parti Rakyat Malaysia, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia, and People’s Green Coalition.

Zulkefly Mohamad, who is also the PAS environmental bureau chief, claimed that there are over 80 NGOs in the coalition.

On preparations in facing possible disruptions, Haris said: “This is a peaceful gathering of the rakyat. We have always said our gatherings are peaceful.

“So your question as to security measures to ensure nothing untowards happens should be put to the police.”