The Court of Appeal has dismissed Save Malaysia Stop Lynas’ (SMSL) appeal over the government’s 2019 decision to extend Lynas’ operating licence, however, the court noted that there was valid concern behind the failed judicial review.

In reading out the unanimous decision of the three-person bench today, judge Azizul Azmi Adnan remarked that their decision to not allow the appeal by SMSL chairperson Tan Bun Teet and two Kuantan residents was due to events superseding the appeal.

Azizul’s ruling that the appeal is now academic was in reference to...