KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- The government has not made a final decision on the Lynas Advance Materials Plant Project and will not do so until it is fully satisfied that the plant will be safe, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said this was to ensure that the people would not feel that anything untoward would happen to them, including in the long term.

"We have to go through the process of convincing the people that the plant will be safe," he said during a one-hour chat with members of the public via the NST Live Chat Session on the NST website, here, today.

Najib was asked whether the government has made a decision on the Lynas issue since it had announced three weeks ago that it would be made in two weeks' time.

Last month, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said a decision on the appeal by three individuals against the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant's temporary operating licence (TOL) would be made in two weeks' time.

Ongkili said he went through the 14 submissions raised as the basis of their appeal, but needed more time to consult related experts and authorities before making a decision.

Najib also was not spared questions on the general election date and, in reply, he said he was looking at all possibilities before making a decision.

He said the government would continue its engagement with the urban voters, including the Chinese voters.

"They have to understand that their future will be better with the Barisan Nasional as we can ensure peace, stability, harmony and a more prosperous society.

"The major difference is that the degree of certainty with regard to our ability to deliver is much greater," he said.