LYNAS DEALINGS WITH US DEFENCE INDUSTRY MUST TRIGGER URGENT REVIEW OF MALAYSIA’S EXPORT CONDITIONS

Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations) – MAPIM
Space U8 , Eco Mall , Bukit Jelutong , Shah Alam , Selangor Malaysia
azmiabdulhamid58@gmail.com
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PRESS STATEMENT
Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM)

Kuala Lumpur | 4th April 2026

Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM) expresses serious concern over reports that Lynas Corporation’s rare earth operations are linked to supply chains serving the United States defence industry.

This development must not be treated as routine commercial activity. It carries strategic, ethical, and geopolitical implications that Malaysia cannot afford to ignore.

Rare earth elements are not ordinary commodities. They are critical materials used in advanced weapons systems, including missile guidance, radar, fighter aircraft, and surveillance technologies. Any involvement of Malaysia based production in such supply chains raises urgent questions of responsibility and national interest.

MAPIM asserts that:

1. Malaysia must not be complicit in militarisation
   If materials processed on Malaysian soil are feeding into military systems used in conflicts that violate international law, Malaysia risks indirect complicity. This is a moral and strategic red line.
2. Export controls must be tightened immediately
   The government must review all export conditions related to rare earth materials, including end use verification, destination transparency, and restrictions on military applications.
3. National sovereignty and neutrality must be protected
   Malaysia has consistently upheld a principled stance on global peace and justice. Allowing strategic resources to be channelled into foreign military industries undermines that position and exposes the country to geopolitical entanglements.
4. Full transparency from Lynas is required
   The company must disclose clearly:
   the end users of its processed materials
   the extent of involvement with defence contractors
   compliance mechanisms to prevent misuse
5. A comprehensive policy framework is overdue
   Malaysia needs a clear national policy governing strategic minerals, ensuring that economic gains do not override ethical responsibility and national security considerations.

MAPIM calls on the Government of Malaysia to:

1. Conduct an immediate audit of Lynas operations and export channels
2. Suspend any supply linked to military end use pending review
3. Establish strict export2aaS11 control legislation for strategic minerals
4. Engage Parliament and civil society in determining national policy

Malaysia must not become a silent node in global military supply chains that fuel conflict and suffering.
Economic activity cannot be separated from moral accountability.

Strategic resources must be governed with wisdom, responsibility, and foresight.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President
Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM)