GEORGE TOWN, May 11 -- The Penang government has been urged to take a clear stance to ensure that rare earth elements (REE) from the state are not used for weapons-related purposes.

Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lanchang) said it is inappropriate for Malaysia's natural resources to be channelled into warfare when the country has long upheld the principles of peace.

"We are deeply concerned that if REE from Penang is misused, it could potentially trigger unforeseen conflicts and bring negative implications to the country, particularly to a population that values peace," he said when debating the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech at the state legislative assembly today.

He said that last month, 57 activist groups in Malaysia raised concerns ...